The anti-doping organization responded to the criticism, saying its integrity and reputation were being attacked by its handling of the case.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has asked an independent prosecutor to review its handling of a case in which 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a prescription heart drug.
The organization will also send a “compliance audit team” to China to assess “the current status of the country’s anti-doping program,” which is conducted by the anti-doping organization CHINADA.
WADA has been under fire since media reports revealed that swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), which can enhance performance, ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. However, they were not sanctioned after WADA accepted the Chinese authorities’ argument that the case caused food pollution.
WADA said in a statement it had asked former Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier to review its handling of the case.
“WADA’s integrity and reputation are under attack. In recent days, WADA has been wrongly accused of serious bias in favor of China by failing to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the CHINADA case. We continue to reject the false allegations and are pleased to be able to place these questions in the hands of an experienced, respected and independent prosecutor,” WADA President Witold Banka said in a statement on Thursday.
WADA is calling on an independent prosecutor to review its handling of the Chinese swimming contamination case. https://t.co/xwypzanPzF
– WADA (@wada_ama) April 25, 2024
WADA said Cottier would be given “full and unrestricted” access to all its files and documents relating to the case, adding that he would be free to consult independent experts at his own discretion.
Cottier was asked to assess whether bias against China or “any undue interference or other impropriety” was found in the handling of the case.
The Swiss lawyer is also asked to determine whether the decision not to challenge or appeal CHINADA’s ruling that the cases involved food contamination was appropriate.
Cottier was asked to submit his findings within two months.
The team that will travel to China will also include “independent investigators from the broader anti-doping community.”
WADA said the visit was part of its regular compliance monitoring program.
Olivier Niggli, Director General of WADA, said: “Although not the slightest evidence has been presented to support the allegations made against WADA, we would like to deal with the matter as quickly and comprehensively as possible so that the matter can be adequately addressed in advance of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.”
Beijing has called reports of the case “fake news.”
Australian and British anti-doping authorities are calling for a review by WADA
The move comes on the same day that anti-doping authorities in Australia and the United Kingdom called for a review of WADA’s processes.
Both UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) called on WADA in separate statements on Thursday to “initiate an independent review of the regulatory framework and processes used”.
“We hope that by accelerating this process, WADA can help restore confidence in anti-doping globally and continue to protect and promote clean athletes,” UKAD said.
UKAD statement on WADA, CHINADA and the positive test results of 23 Chinese swimmers.https://t.co/eMsNukzAMm
— British Anti-Doping (@ukantidoping) April 24, 2024
SIA said athletes in Australia and around the world must have confidence in the global anti-doping system and be confident that all competitions are conducted on an equal basis and all athletes are treated fairly.
“Sport Integrity Australia has written directly to WADA seeking clarity on the processes followed in dealing with the case,” it added.
The case has been a sore point in Australia, where freestyle swimmer Shayna Jack was banned for four years after she failed a drug test, blaming a tainted dietary supplement.
Jack, who missed the Tokyo Games while serving her ban, had her ban reduced to two years after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which found she had not knowingly taken the banned substance.
The latest statements come after the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) this week called for an independent prosecutor to be appointed to review the Chinese swimmers’ case.
USADA chief Travis Tygart accused WADA of being involved in a “potential cover-up” and the global anti-doping agency responded by threatening legal action.