China intends to send eleven swimmers who have been suspected of doping to the Olympic Games in Paris. This has become clear since the country announced who has been selected for the games this summer.
One of the stars will be up against both Sarah Sjöström and Louise Hansson.
In April, the New York Times, ARD, and Daily Telegraph revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the heart medication trimetazidin (TMZ) ahead of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. It is a preparation that can enhance performance.
However, they were not banned or penalised, as the international anti-doping agency Wada accepted an explanation from China that they had ingested the substance through contaminated food.
The case was hushed up
The whole affair was swept under the carpet until the revelation in April.
Several of the Chinese swimmers won medals in Tokyo, and eleven of the 23 have now been selected to represent China in Paris. Among them are the double gold medallist in Tokyo, butterfly and freestyle star Zhang Yufei, and another gold medallist, Wang Shun.
Zhang has qualified for both the 50m freestyle, where Sarah Sjöström is chasing gold, and the 100m butterfly, where Louise Hansson is Sweden's hope.
I think the whole situation is so strange, that it took so long before the information came out. I think everyone (swimmers) is a question mark, said Sjöström to TT some time ago.
I'm being tested ridiculously many times now ahead of the Olympic Games, and you hope that it's the same for my opponents, so that we can compete on equal terms. You have to hope that responsibility is taken for a clean sport, said Louise Hansson.
Investigation ahead of the Olympic Games
Not least the USA has strongly protested against Wada's handling of the scandal.
Following the criticism, Wada has appointed an independent investigator to review the case.
It is said that the investigation will be completed ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris.
IOC President Thomas Bach has previously stated that the swimmers who tested positive in 2021 will not be stopped from competing in the Olympic Games.
We have full confidence in Wada and that they have followed their rules, he said recently to AFP.
