World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s handling of the drug testing issue involving Chinese swimmers in 2021 has sparked controversy. On Tuesday, two former Olympic swimmers from the United States criticized the organization for compromising the integrity of international sports and the fair competition rights of athletes, calling for reforms within the international body.
Tuesday evening, American swimming legends Michael Phelps, known as the “Flying Fish,” and four-time Olympic gold medalist Allison Schmitt, appeared before the United States House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing.
The focus of the hearing was an investigation into approximately 20 Chinese swimmers suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs on the eve of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Phelps and Schmitt described the efforts they made to prove their fair competition, but they argued that the rules were not equally enforced, specifically highlighting how athletes from countries like China could circumvent strict anti-doping measures.
Phelps, speaking about WADA, mentioned, “We need to hold them accountable.” He added that regarding how the leading anti-doping agency in the world should be treated, the organization should be “almost like a standalone island.”
The two athletes told the committee that American Olympic athletes have lost faith in WADA’s ability to clean up cheating swimmers before the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris next month.
Phelps holds the record for the most decorated swimmer in history, having won 23 Olympic gold medals.
Schmitt, a four-time gold medalist, was part of the U.S. 800m freestyle relay team that narrowly lost to the Chinese team at the Tokyo Olympics, settling for silver. Both the American and Chinese teams broke the original world record in the relay event.
Travis Tygart, the CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, who participated in the hearing, stated that out of the 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive in 2021, 11 will compete in the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
In April of this year, 23 Chinese swimmers were revealed to have tested positive for banned substances before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, yet WADA allowed them to compete, with five swimmers earning medals, including three golds.
WADA has appointed an independent prosecutor to review the positive test results of the Chinese swimmers. WADA accepted the conclusion of Chinese anti-doping officials that the 23 athletes ingested prohibited substances through contaminated food at a hotel.
WADA officials have repeatedly stated that they do not have enough evidence to question the investigation findings of Chinese anti-doping officials and due to pandemic restrictions at the time, they were unable to conduct an investigation in China personally.
However, independent anti-doping experts have raised doubts about this conclusion. Travis Tygart called this conclusion “unacceptable.”
The U.S. Committee also invited WADA to the hearing, but they did not attend.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, voiced concerns, questioning why these banned substances were found in the hotel kitchens where swimmers stayed. She criticized WADA for deeming this explanation credible.
Morgan Griffith, Chair of the Subcommittee and Republican Representative for Virginia, commented that WADA’s absence at the hearing raised doubts about their commitment to accountability. He suggested that if they do not intend to carry out their responsibilities, they should not receive funding.
During the hearing, Phelps and Schmitt strongly criticized WADA’s mishandling of the situation, stating that the scandal has damaged athletes’ trust in the organization.
Phelps testified before Congress, saying, “From my perspective, it is obvious that any attempted reform by WADA has failed, and there still exist deep-rooted systematic issues that repeatedly compromise the integrity of international sports and the fair competition rights of athletes.”
“WADA did not adhere to its own rules while investigating the positive tests of nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers, which could affect some friends. Many of them will live with the assumption for the rest of their lives.”
He further urged Congress to leverage its significant influence over WADA to make the organization truly independent and effective.
Schmitt added, “On behalf of American athletes, I urge accountability from WADA and the global anti-doping system. Let athletes win because it’s rightfully earned, and let them lose under fair competition conditions.”
This hearing marks the latest action taken by lawmakers, calling on the Justice Department and the International Olympic Committee to investigate how WADA and the Chinese anti-doping agency handled the positive tests.
Legislators present at the hearing, including Griffith, suggested that if improvements are not made, they might withhold the funding provided by American taxpayers to WADA, which amounts to approximately $4 million annually.