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According to the New York Times, Jack Robertson, former chief investigator with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), has assailed the agency. Robertson said that WADA needs to be rebuilt, it is not the agency it once was and is “broken beyond repair.”
Robertson’s comments come during the war of words between the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and WADA. USADA has called out WADA in permitting 23 Chinese swimmers to continue to compete even though they tested positive for the same banned performance-enhancing drug (PED) trimetazidine (TMZ).
USADA: Just wait until the L.A. Games in 2028.
— Yes, it's me (@ElysiusThor) August 16, 2024
🇺🇲 USA #1 pic.twitter.com/PWOj2csK7k
WADA accepted their claim that the athletes injected the PED through a food source at a hotel, three years ago.
Eleven of those athletes competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, five of them won medals.
None of this was public until a joint investigation took place between the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD.
Criminal investigation launched
The FBI has launched a criminal investigation into how the Chinese doping case was handled. Brent Nowicki, the executive director of World Aquatics, has been subpoenaed to testify before Congress. World Aquatics (formerly FINA) said Monday that the Chinese swimmers going to Paris were undergoing increased drug testing at least eight times this year before the Games.
The executive director Brent Nowicki has been served with a subpoena by the US government.
“World Aquatics can confirm that its executive director, Brent Nowicki, was served with a witness subpoena by the United States government. He is working to schedule a meeting with the government, which, in all likelihood will obviate the need for testimony before a Grand Jury.”
USADA accepts tainted food defence of its own athletes
USADA has a record of accepting its own athlete’s defence for testing positive for PEDs. The latest is sprinter Erriyon Knighton who competed in the Paris Olympic Games. He finished fourth in the 100m and 200m events.
In 2017, USADA accepted 800m runner Ajee Wilson’s defence that the banned drug zeranol was in her system due to contaminated meat. Although the organization did take one of her national records away, the 800m indoors performance from the in-competition test site.
After looking at Wilson’s “dietary habits and food purchase receipts,” USADA concluded that her positive test was likely the result of consuming contaminated meat. And is only stripped Wilson’s Millrose result, which was a win and 1:58.27 American record.
In 1998, American sprinter Dennis Mitchell was busted for doping. He gave the famous “five bottles of beer and sex with his wife at least four times,” excuse for testing high for testosterone. He added, “It was her birthday, the lady deserved a treat.” USATF accepted Dennis’ explanation and cleared him to compete. In this case, the USADA was not founded until October 1, 2000.
WADA accuses USADA of non-compliance for years
The war of words continues between China, the US, WADA and USADA.
Without naming names or drugs, WADA, in its statement dated Aug. 7, 2024, accused USADA of allowing athletes to compete for years after testing positive for PEDs. “U.S. USADA allowed athletes who had doped, to compete for years. In at least one case without ever publishing or sanctioning their anti-doping rule violations. In direct contravention of the World Anti-Doping Code and USADA’s own rules.”
“WADA is now aware of at least three cases where athletes who had committed serious anti-doping rule violations were allowed to continue to compete for years. While they acted as undercover agents for USADA, without it notifying WADA and without there being any provision allowing such a practice under the Code or USADA’s own rules.”
USADA statement from April 2024
“It’s crushing to see that 23 Chinese swimmers had positive tests for a potent performance-enhancing drug on the eve of the 2021 Olympic Games, as reported by the New York Times and ARD. It’s even more devastating to learn the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency secretly, until now, swept these positives under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.
Our hearts ache for the athletes from the countries who were impacted by this potential cover-up and who may have lost podium moments, financial opportunities, and memories with family that can never be replaced. They have been deeply and painfully betrayed by the system. All of those with dirty hands in burying positive tests and suppressing the voices of courageous whistleblowers must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the rules and law.”