Michael Phelps Calls for Lifetime Ban on Doping Violations

Michael Phelps has reiterated his strong stance against doping, advocating for a lifetime ban for athletes who test positive for banned substances. Phelps criticized the lenient handling of recent doping cases involving Chinese swimmers, calling for stricter, global anti-doping measures to ensure a fair competitive environment.

In light of a recent Chinese doping scandal, swimming legend Michael Phelps reaffirmed his call for harsher sanctions on Monday, including lifetime bans for athletes who test positive for banned substances.

“If you test positive, you should never be allowed to come back and compete again, cut and dry,” Phelps stated unequivocally. “I believe one and done.” His comments came after it was revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for banned substances ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, a fact that wasn't publicized until recent media reports shed light on it.

Phelps emphasized the importance of a level playing field in sports and called for a unified global approach to anti-doping testing. “What has to happen is everybody has to come together and figure out one way to test everybody all over the world. Period,” he asserted. “And if you test positive, you should never be allowed to come back and compete again.”