UKAD statement concerning WADA, CHINADA and the positive test results of 23 Chinese swimmers

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) notes with concern the current media and sporting world commentary and speculation about serious anti-doping issues involving 23 Chinese swimmers.   

UKAD, along with WADA and all Anti-Doping Organisations, has a fundamental responsibility to protect athletes’ rights to participate in doping-free sport and promote health, fairness and equality for athletes worldwide. Clean participation is essential and must be delivered in a coordinated manner linked to the International Standards and the World Anti-Doping Code.

The recent media reports and responses by WADA and several National Anti-Doping Organisations have led many athletes and the wider sporting community to question the consistency with which anti-doping processes work and how anti-doping rules are applied worldwide.

Without public access to the full details, and with speculation continuing in the media, a more transparent approach is needed.

We call on WADA, in this specific case, to now initiate an independent review of the regulatory framework and processes applied. 

We hope that WADA, by expediting this process, can help ensure trust and confidence is restored in anti-doping worldwide, and clean athletes can continue to be protected and championed.

Note

This is in response to reporting from The New York Times and German national broadcaster ARD (20 and 21 April) regarding the positive test results returned by 23 Chinese swimmers ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Games. The National Anti-Doping Organisation of China (CHINADA) chose not to take forward Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) against the athletes concerned, and the World Anti-Doping Agency did not appeal.