GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The international swimming federation has recently been pulled into a U.S. criminal investigation regarding the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who faced doping allegations in 2021. The federation’s top administrator, Brent Nowicki, has been subpoenaed to testify as a witness in this ongoing probe, shedding light on a controversial issue just weeks before the Paris Olympics.
The case revolves around the 23 Chinese swimmers who failed doping tests in 2021 but were still allowed to compete, ultimately winning three gold medals for China at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. This decision to allow them to compete despite the doping allegations raised concerns and sparked an investigation by U.S. authorities.
World Aquatics, the governing body for aquatics worldwide, confirmed to The Associated Press that its executive director, Brent Nowicki, is cooperating with the investigation after being served with a witness subpoena by the U.S. government. The federation stated that Nowicki is working to schedule a meeting with the government, potentially avoiding the need for testimony before a Grand Jury.
The Chinese swimmers’ case has gained attention as one of the most high-profile uses of a U.S. federal law passed in 2020 to investigate suspected doping conspiracies. The swimmers, including Olympic champions Zhang Yufei and Wang Shun, allegedly tested positive for a banned substance, trimetazidine, in January 2021.
WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, accepted the Chinese authorities’ explanation of food contamination at a hotel that led to the presence of the banned substance, allowing the swimmers to continue competing. This decision was criticized by some, including Olympic legend Michael Phelps, who questioned the integrity of the sport’s anti-doping measures.
As the investigation unfolds, questions surrounding the handling of the case by WADA, as well as the broader implications for international sports competitions and anti-doping efforts, continue to surface. The outcome of this investigation could have significant ramifications for future anti-doping protocols and the enforcement of doping regulations in sports worldwide.