In recent days, a series of sports scandals in China have been continuously exposed. The US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, criticized the corruption in Chinese sports on social media. On April 22nd, Rahm Emanuel posted on social media X, stating, “China’s new distinctive competition: winning Olympic gold medals by using stimulants. The updated version of ‘muscle cramps during running’ helps Chinese marathon runners win races. Stealing commercial secrets and technological knowledge from American and Dutch companies to drive their own economic development. Have you noticed China’s plundering model? We can only say that corruption is not limited to China’s rocket forces.”
Last Sunday, 23 Chinese swimmers were found to have tested positive for stimulants before the 2021 Olympics, and it was revealed that China, along with international organizations, tried to cover up the scandal, sparking international attention. The “Stimulant Editorial Team” of the German Public Broadcasting Union (ARD) conducted a two-year independent investigation and found suspicions of widespread stimulant use among Chinese athletes after conducting on-site inspections in China. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), responsible for oversight, did not take appropriate action.
The investigation revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers, including Zhang Yufei and Wang Shun, gold medalists at the 32nd Tokyo Olympics, and current world swimming champion Qin Haiyang, tested positive for furosemide in January 2021. This is the same substance found in prohibited Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva’s test.
After months of silence, the official response from the Chinese Communist Party stated that all athletes were proven not to have taken stimulants but traces of stimulants were found in the kitchen of the hotel where the athletes stayed during the competition. The WADA accepted Beijing’s decision not to pursue anti-doping violations and allowed these athletes to continue competing.
A whistleblower told ARD, “The whole story of pollution seems like a fairy tale to me. None of the explanations given by Chinese officials are reliable.”
The CEO of the US Anti-Doping Agency USADA stated that this was like stabbing a clean athlete in the back. Earlier on April 14th, the Beijing Half Marathon was also embroiled in controversy when Chinese athlete He Jie was escorted to victory by three African athletes, causing a stir.
On April 19th, in the midst of questioning, the Beijing Half Marathon organizing committee announced the decision regarding the investigation and handling of the men’s race results. Penalties were imposed on the relevant units and individuals involved, and the results of He Jie, Willy, Deji Nei, and Robert were revoked, and their trophies, medals, and prize money were withdrawn.