Olympics: Australian anti-doping watchdog calls for review into Chinese swimming scandal

Australia’s anti-doping watchdog has joined the United States in calling for an independent review into the Chinese swimming scandal that has rocked the sports world in the lead up to the Paris Olympics.

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority ASADA CEO David Sharpe poses for a portrait outside the ASADA offices in Canberra, Wednesday, October 30, 2019. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Australia’s anti-doping watchdog has joined the United States in calling for an independent review into the Chinese swimming scandal that has rocked the sports world in the lead up to the Paris Olympics.

In a major escalation that could set off a domino effect for other countries also wanting an explanation as to how nearly dozen Chinese swimmers escaped punishment for a banned drug that normally incurs an automatic ban, Sport Integrity Australia’s (SIA) chief executive David Sharpe has written to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) saying actions are needed to be restore faith in the global anti-doping system.

“Sport Integrity Australia has written to WADA directly, seeking clarity around the processes

performed in the handling of the case,” SIA announced.

“Mr Sharpe is calling on WADA to initiate an independent review of the regulatory framework and processes applied.”

Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe. Picture: AAP

Sharpe himself added: “We need to remember not all athletes have legal training and understand the intricacies of the World Anti-Doping Code so it is important to break this down in clear, concise facts to ensure confidence in the world anti-doping system can be restored.”

A former federal top cop, Sharpe said SIA was not alleging that any wrongdoing had occurred after 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for the banned drug trimetazidine in the lead-up to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, as first reported by this masthead.

The Chinese investigators ruled that it was a mass contamination - a verdict that was supported by WADA and World Aquatics - but the secrecy behind the probe, which took place more than three years ago, has set off a firestorm of protests and calls for WADA to be dismantled.

Chinese investigators ruled that it was a mass contamination - a verdict that was supported by WADA and World Aquatics. Picture: Getty Images

The US anti-doping agency has even called on countries that have representatives on the WADA executive and foundation board, which includes Australia, to lead the way in asking the global regulator to review the case findings to ensure nothing was covered up.

In a statement, released on Anzac Day, the government-backed SIA said it was now calling on WADA to review the way the investigation was conducted by the Chinese authorities.

“Sport Integrity Australia has moved to reassure Australian athletes of the agency’s commitment to ensuring the global anti-doping system is thorough, fair and transparent,” SIA said.

“Athletes in Australia and around the world need to have trust in the global anti-doping system and have confidence that all competitions are fair and that all athletes are treated fairly.

“Sport Integrity Australia’s commitment statement comes in the wake of media commentary and speculation concerning the swimming contamination matter in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics.

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23 members of the Chinese team tested positive for the banned drug trimetazidine in the lead-up to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Getty Images

While not alleging any wrongdoing, Mr Sharpe has called for clarification of facts in the handling of these matters to restore faith in the global anti-doping system.

“Mr Sharpe acknowledged the need for protection mechanisms in the anti-doping system to protect athletes subject to cases of contamination but reinforced the need for transparency.”

The move comes just a day after the Australian government was dragged into the scandal by US regulators wanting answers.

While USADA did not name any individual countries in its call to arms, it was a clear message to the Australian government, which is a major player in the global fight for clean sport and one of only four countries to have led WADA with the late John Fahey serving as president from 2008-2013.