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As the Paris Olympic Games come to a close, the Chinese swimming team finds itself in a new reality: more medals, more scrutiny. With athletes like Wang Shun, who won a bronze medal in the 200m individual medley, now under the spotlight, the question of doping has re-emerged, highlighting the ongoing tension between high achievement and strict oversight.

Wang Shun and the Media Scrutiny

Wang Shun, after his bronze medal win, could no longer avoid the spotlight of public and media scrutiny. Known for his refusal to speak to the press after his preliminary round, his medal now necessitated a press conference, where questions about the use of performance-enhancing drugs were likely to arise. I think these things should be enough to prove what we’ve been doing in our training, Wang Shun, speaking through a translator, commented post-race. He elaborated that since securing his Olympic qualification, he underwent, on average, two drug tests per week, increasing to 11 in the two weeks leading up to the Paris Olympics.

The Rising Tide of Doping Allegations

The victory of the Chinese relay team in the men’s 4x100m mixed relay, defeating the USA, France, and the UK, marks the second gold for China in these Olympics. However, the team’s success is overshadowed by the growing concerns over doping. Notably, two of the relay’s swimmers tested positive for banned substances in 2021 but were not sanctioned. Over the past months, a series of disclosures regarding dozens of positive tests among Chinese swimmers, coupled with allegations of food contamination, have fueled lingering doubts and suspicions.

The Role of WADA and the Debate Over Responsibility

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has come under scrutiny for not publishing positive test results and failing to impose sanctions on swimmers. This has led to British swimmer Adam Peaty’s team’s disappointment in not winning a medal in the relay, with Peaty’s group calling for a stricter anti-doping regime, demanding that organizations responsible for maintaining the integrity of the sport wake up and do their job.

The Unwavering Focus on Medals

Despite the medal count being a key metric for success, particularly for countries like China, the team’s performance at these Olympics has been mixed. While the 12 medals won in Paris is double the total from the Tokyo Olympics, the number of gold medals has decreased. This has led to ongoing debates about the team’s performance, especially given the increased scrutiny and the high frequency of drug testing.

The Case of Pan Zhele

Pan Zhele, who led the Chinese relay team to victory in the men’s 100m freestyle and set a world record, was at the center of controversy. Following his victory, his coach, former Australian Olympic swimmer Brett Hawke, questioned the legitimacy of his performance on social media, suggesting it was impossible for a human being to win by a body length. Pan’s performance in the men’s 4x100m mixed relay, where his freestyle leg was more than a second faster than his competitors, also contributed to the team’s second gold medal.

The Debate Surrounding PRC Swimmers

Chinese swimmer Yang Junxuan, who previously tested positive, and others like her, have been in the spotlight. The issue of food contamination, a common defense for positive tests, has been cited by Chinese authorities as the cause for these incidents. This has led to a heated debate about the responsibility for such occurrences, with many questioning the fairness of scrutiny against Chinese swimmers.

The Legacy of Doping Allegations

In recent years, this is the third time that members of the Chinese national swimming team have attributed positive test results to food contamination. This includes Wang Shun and Pan Zhele, among others, who have faced scrutiny despite their successful performances. The legacy of these allegations, combined with the increasing frequency of drug tests, underscores the new reality for China’s swimming team: more medals, but under a microscope of international scrutiny and skepticism.

The Unanswered Questions

As the Olympic Games conclude, the debate over doping allegations and the role of international organizations like WADA continues. The Chinese swimming team’s athletes, despite their high achievements, face an uphill battle in dispelling doubts and maintaining their integrity in the face of persistent scrutiny.


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