International
Wada fires back at critics over Chinese swimming doping scandal
TORONTO — The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) was in full damage control mode on Monday (April 22), firing back at criticism over its handling of 23 positive tests from Chinese swimmers that the head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) ca
Wada confirmed a New York Times report on Saturday that Chinese swimmers had tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), which is found in heart medication, months before the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics began in July 2021. The findings sparked outrage across the sport and among anti-doping crusaders.
In a show of unity, Wada forcefully responded to the attacks during a nearly two hour Zoom call with the media that featured leaders from the agency's science and legal affairs department, investigative unit and president Witold Banka, who said the global anti-doping body stood by its decisions and given circumstances and evidence would do the same again.
"At every stage Wada followed all due processes and investigated every lead and line of enquiry in this matter," said Banka. "If we had to do it over again we would do exactly do the same thing.
