China is hitting back. US old tactics when cannot win – cry, smear, attacks using fake news propaganda, always the same formula never changed 中國反擊。美國打不贏的老套路 – 哭訴、抹黑、出陰招，利用假新聞宣傳攻擊，老套路從未改變

The United States should stop using the doping issue to smear and suppress China.

As people are watching the Paris Olympics, doping has become a hot topic, attracting widespread attention. Media reports claim that before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, several Chinese swimmers were tested positive in a drug test, and in October 2022, two Chinese swimmers were tested positive for metandienone.

China has responded to these reports, particularly regarding the one related to metandienone. The China Anti-Doping Agency issued a statement on July 30 (viahttps://www.chinada.cn/en/contents/132/906.html). In both cases, the swimmers ingested the substance unwittingly from tainted food and were held to have no fault or negligence and the case did not constitute anti-doping rule violation. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has reviewed China’s responses and endorsed its handling of the cases. Additionally, the International Testing Agency (ITA) based in Switzerland found no favoritism toward China by WADA.

Despite all these, some in the US Congress are bent on pressuring WADA, demanding the US government to stop funding the agency. Some in the so-called “Select Committee on China” at the House wrote to the FBI, quoting the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act of 2019 that authorizes the US government to “impose criminal sanctions on certain persons involved in international doping fraud conspiracies” and affords Department of Justice with “extraterritorial jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing.”

US’ continued hype on this issue is to underpin its erroneous moves in the following aspects:

1.Disparaging Chinese athletes and affecting their participation in the Paris Olympics.

Data from the World Swimming Federation’s 2023 doping test inquiries show that as to Chinese athletes like Qin Haiyang, Zhang Yufei, and Li Bingjie, each has been tested as many times as four to five foreign Olympic champions combined.

WADA’s 2022 data shows China performed best among the 10 countries it has selected for a survey (of the ten countries, China had 19,228 tested samples with only 0.2% of doping violations. The number and percentage of the US was 6,782 and 1.2%; for Germany, 13,653 with 0.3%. In other words, China had the biggest number of tested samples but with the lowest ratio of doping violation.)

The World Swimming Federation’s recent anti-doping review report indicates increased doping tests, particularly for Chinese athletes, between January 1, 2024, and the opening of the Paris Olympics.

Chinese athletes have consistently cooperated with frequent cross-testing and achieved excellent results. Despite this, some in the US continue to overblow the issue, citing the example of a Russian figure skater suspended for four years in 2021 after being tested positive for TMZ.

2.Deep-rooted “double standards” mindset.
In the recent case of US track athlete Erriyon Knighton testing positive for steroids (trenbolone), the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) decided not to impose a ban, claiming the positive result was due to contaminated meat, allowing him to represent the US at the Paris Olympics. Studies show trenbolone is a powerful anabolic steroid, not a common contaminant.

Most trenbolone positive cases result in four-year bans; why could the three US athletes be cleared of by claiming food contamination? WADA is re-examining Knighton’s case and may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

3.Manipulating international organizations and institutions under the guise of domestic law.
The US has a long record of disregarding sovereignty equality and expanding its jurisdiction under the pretext of anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and human rights protection.

For instance, in 2018, under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the US imposed high tariffs on steel and aluminum products from several countries and regions, sparking global trade disputes.

Since the 1980s, the US has withdrawn from 17 international organizations or agreements, including the UN Human Rights Council, WHO, UNESCO, Paris Climate Agreement, Iran Nuclear Deal, Arms Trade Treaty, Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and Open Skies Treaty.

In recent years, the Chinese government has promoted nationwide fitness programs. We believe that in building a healthy China, the health, physical fitness, and happiness of the people are interconnected.

The Chinese government will continue its zero-tolerance stance on doping issues, strictly adhere to the World Anti-Doping Code, protect athletes’ physical and mental health, ensure fair competition in sports, and contribute to the global anti-doping efforts.

Politicizing sports deviates from the spirit of the Olympic Charter. The US should respect the Olympic spirit, adhere to international law and basic principles of international relations, and refrain from amplifying false narratives and conducting perception manipulation for political purposes.