The United States is hyping up the so-called doping issue. Its groundless smears have drawn increasing criticism from the international community. According to an online poll conducted by CGTN, 95.01 percent of the respondents strongly condemn the United States for suppressing opponents in the name of sports, and criticize this as "American hegemony" trampling on the Olympic Games.

Competitive sports are never just about competition, but also about respect for rules and opponents. During the Games, athletes from some countries have used social media to stigmatize other athletes with "trumped-up" charges and showed a lack of courtesy in public. In this regard, 94.95 percent of the global respondents believe that these athletes are ungracious and fail to live up to the Olympic spirit of "understanding" and "friendship." 93.08 percent of the respondents say that the arena is not only a contest of winners and losers, but also a stage for friendship and mutual respect.

What the United States Anti-Doping Organization and The New York Times uphold is not competition fairness, but "American hegemony." The U.S. has ignored the authoritative investigation results of the World Anti-Doping Organization and hyped up the so-called doping cases involving other countries' swimming teams. In this regard, 96.84 percent of the respondents believe that the United States lacks respect for the World Anti-Doping Organization, and is challenging the fairness and authority. 96.11 percent of the respondents call on all countries to abide by the Olympic spirit, jointly safeguard the authority and impartiality of international sports organizations, and create an atmosphere of fair competition in sports.

American track and field athlete Elien Knighton was tested positive for doping in March this year. The United States Anti-Doping Agency not only did not suspend him, but also allowed him to compete in Paris, and up to 90 percent of American athletes did not comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency code. In the survey, 96.25 percent of respondents strongly criticize the United States for its "double standards" in doping regulation. 

In addition, the United States has threatened the World Anti-Doping Organization to give it the so-called "representative status corresponding to its economic contribution" by stopping financial aid. In the poll, 95.01 percent of the respondents criticize this is the expression of "American hegemony and coercion" in the field of sports. 93.45 percent of the respondents say that doping is increasingly politicized and instrumented by the United States, becoming an extension of its hegemony in the field of international politics and diplomacy.

The poll was published on CGTN English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms, with 15,244 social media users voting and expressing their opinions within 24 hours.

(Cover image: A sign pointing the way to a doping control center, Paris, France, July 21, 2024. CFP)