Paris Olympics: Chinada calls for more testing of US athletes after Erriyon Knighton case
- Recent revelation has further strained the already difficult ties between China and Usada
China Anti-Doping Agency (Chinada) called for more frequent anti-doping testing of American track and field athletes, in light of the United States’ Erriyon Knighton completing his 200 metres semi-final despite having previously failed a doping test.
The relationship between China and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) was already strained following the news disclosed earlier this year that 23 Chinese swimmers had been cleared to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 despite having previously failed a test.
In the wake of that news, Usada was highly critical of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) handling of the case, while Chinese athletes have claimed to be the most tested at the Paris Olympics, while swimmers have frequently been met with questions regarding potential doping after races.
“We strongly call on the International Testing Agency to intensify testing on the US track and field athletes,” a Chinada statement read. “We also strongly recommend that the Athletics Integrity Unit strengthen anti-doping supervision of the US track and field.”
Chinada also called for “rebuilding the trust of global athletes in fair play.”
This is the second Chinada statement in a matter of days, the first coming in the wake of the revelation of Knighton’s failed test in March and, in it, the organisation criticised Usada for “showing a typical double standard” by demanding sanctions against Chinese athletes while failing to hold American athletes to account.
