US double standard on anti-doping is reckless, ultimately self-defeating

America often has a tendency to see themselves as exceptional, viewing the nation as a global powerhouse, a shining beacon of democracy, and a standard for others to follow. The irony is that some of their officials and media lack the integrity and consistency needed to uphold these ideals.

This glaring hypocrisy can come at a high cost, leading to a loss of credibility and a tarnished reputation on the world stage, which then becomes a blow to their own self-respect.

Consequently, the recent decision by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to green-light sprinter Erriyon Knighton's participation at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, despite testing positive for trenbolone in March, is more than just a cause for concern among observers. It poses a significant threat to the global anti-doping framework and international governance system. This could potentially cause repercussions that could reverberate for years to come.

The whole saga traces back to an article published by The New York Times in April. The piece alleged that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the same banned substance before the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, who were still permitted to compete. This stirred up frustration and speculation, prompting both the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee to defend their decision to clear the swimmers. In July, WADA released an official report from the Swiss prosecutor tasked with investigating, Eric Cottier. He concluded that there was no evidence of favoritism towards China in WADA's handling of the case. Cottier also stated that WADA made a "reasonable" decision by placing trust in the Chinese authorities' explanation that the swimmers had unknowingly ingested a banned heart medication, traces of which were found in a hotel kitchen where the athletes were staying.

Despite facing unfair accusations during their time in Paris, eleven of the Chinese swimmers who had previously tested positive went on to compete. They made history by breaking the USA's 40-year dominance in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay, securing a well-deserved gold. While some swimmers, such as Caeleb Dressel, expressed faith in WADA, British swimmer Adam Peaty threw his toys out the pram, criticizing what he called the fractured system and voicing disappointment after Team GB missed out on a medal.

"In sport, one of my favorite quotes I've seen lately is 'There's no point in winning if you don't win it fair'," he fumed. He went on to say "I don't want to paint a whole nation or a whole group of people with one brush, I think it's very unfair."

While Peaty and certain media outlets hyped up the irresponsible claims, suggesting that World Aquatics and WADA had let them down and that the public was turning a blind eye, they conveniently overlooked the truth. Zhang Yufei, who clinched the bronze in the women's 200-meter butterfly, shared that she and her teammates had been undergoing rigorous testing three to four days a week in the months leading up to the Paris Games and following the New York Times report. Mark Adams, the spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee, echoed her sentiments during a press conference in Paris, affirming that China's swimming team was "the most tested swimming team here," with over "600 and something tests routinely since January. So they are fully tested."

In a climate where skepticism towards WADA and the IOC was already high, the unjust treatment of Chinese swimmers speaks volumes. Rather than celebrating their bronze wins, Zhang and her teammates found themselves constantly defending their honor. Even Pan Zhanle, the emerging Chinese swimming prodigy who astounded everyone with a world record of 46.40 in the men's 100-meter freestyle and was not implicated in the New York Times doping story, faced unwarranted scrutiny over doping allegations. It must be acknowledged that Zhang, Pan, and their fellow swimmers are the true victims in this scenario. Who will make amends for the years of dedication they put in, only to face baseless accusations and undeserved humiliation on the podium?

Then pinnacle of hypocrisy was reached, which brings us back to Knighton. He boasts a stellar 200-meter personal best of 19.49 seconds, the fifth-fastest time in history, and had been given the green light by USADA to compete in Paris. The agency alleged that an arbitrator determined his positive drug test was likely due to tainted meat. This stark contrast did not go unnoticed by observers familiar with the recent events involving Chinese swimmers. The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) drove this point home in a statement issued on Tuesday. They called out the USADA for displaying "a blatant double standard" by vigorously defending American athletes while simultaneously accusing CHINADA and WADA of concealing the truth and advocating for punitive measures against Chinese athletes. This is despite WADA's repeated clarifications and the findings of the Independent Prosecutor.

CHINADA didn't mince words as they highlighted the US's selective amnesia regarding its own doping history, while zealously enforcing its jurisdiction and sanctions on other nations. It added that "it seems that the US's tactic of pointing fingers at China and other countries is merely a smokescreen to divert attention from its own glaring shortcomings in the field of anti-doping efforts."

The statement made by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May also denounced certain foreign entities and media outlets for "overlooking China's unwavering stance against doping in sports and its accomplishments in anti-doping efforts." It accused these entities of "displaying significant bias against China's anti-doping initiatives, disseminating reports and remarks that blatantly distort fundamental truths, infringe upon athletes' privacy, and manipulate the media to mislead the public, spread misinformation, and launch attacks on global anti-doping bodies and China."

America's selective actions are poised to have broader repercussions. WADA and the IOC have cautioned that the relentless criticism from the US could disrupt the international sports anti-doping framework and even jeopardize sports officials. In a series of forceful statements led by IOC President Thomas Bach, top IOC committee members slammed US officials for initiating inquiries into how WADA handled the China case and threatened to reject Salt Lake City's bid to host the Winter Games in 2034.

As highlighted by CHINADA, politicizing the anti-doping issue not only epitomizes double standards but also tramples on the principles of fairness and justice. The US must reevaluate its methods and principles in handling doping cases, ensure that its actions align with the objectives of the global anti-doping system, exhibit integrity and consistency in anti-doping efforts, and regain the trust of the international community. The world and the American people deserve nothing less than this.