Congressman John Moolenaar Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP | Official Website
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have called on the U.S. Department of Justice and the International Olympic Committee to initiate a formal investigation into doping allegations involving Chinese swimmers. The request follows the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) decision to allow these athletes to participate in the 2021 Olympics despite testing positive for illegal substances. Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) and Andre Carson (D-IN) also signed the letter.
Ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, a prohibited substance. Despite this, they were allowed to compete after delays in reporting by the Chinese anti-doping agency and WADA's refusal to intervene. Evidence presented by U.S. and global anti-doping officials was overlooked, leading to concerns about transparency and fairness.
In addition, WADA received $2 million in excess funds from the Chinese government that year. Some doped Chinese swimmers won medals at the Tokyo Games, raising questions about the validity of their victories and casting doubt on both WADA's credibility and that of the International Olympic Committee.
With less than 100 days until the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024, lawmakers stress that it is crucial for WADA to be held accountable and ensure that athletes who test positive are barred from competition.
In their letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi stated: “This scandal raises serious legal, ethical, and competitive concerns and may constitute a broader state-sponsored strategy by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to unfairly compete at the Olympic Games in ways Russia has previously done… It is imperative to assess whether these alleged doping practices were state-sponsored, which could warrant further diplomatic measures by the United States and international community.”
They added: “Furthermore, with less than 100 days until the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, understanding the full scope of this scandal is critical in ensuring our U.S. athletes are competing in a fair competition.”
In a separate inquiry directed at Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, they wrote: “The deeply troubling revelation that nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers, including multiple Olympic medalists, tested positive for a prohibited substance months before Tokyo Games yet were still permitted to compete represents a significant breach of these foundational principles and a profound injustice to clean athletes around world… How IOC responds this scandal will directly affect this summer’s Olympic games their promise fair play unites athletes from around globe.”
The lawmakers have requested a briefing from FBI officials and Attorney General Garland by June 5th.
