IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized during a press conference on Saturday that the frequency of doping tests in swimming should be overseen by bodies like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and World Aquatics to uphold fairness in Olympic competitions.
Bach addressed queries regarding the possibility of increased doping tests for the Chinese swimming team, who had already undergone extensive testing following Pan Zhanle’s record-breaking performance in the men’s 100m freestyle on July 31.
According to World Aquatics, Chinese swimmers have been tested an average of 21 times each since January 1, a significantly higher number compared to six times for American swimmers and four times for Australians as of July 23.
Bach reaffirmed that the IOC delegates responsibility for conducting doping tests to WADA and its affiliated national anti-doping laboratories. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is tasked with adjudicating sanctions related to doping.
“It’s the role of these anti-doping bodies, in collaboration with World Aquatics specifically for swimming, to determine the appropriate testing protocols,” Bach stated. “This approach ensures equitable conditions for all athletes participating in the Olympic Games.”
Following Pan’s remarkable achievement, his fellow Chinese swimmer and Tokyo Olympic champion Zhang Yufei raised concerns about perceived double standards in the scrutiny faced by Chinese athletes compared to their Western counterparts.
