Doping probe of Chinese swimmers could keep US from hosting future events, ASOIF says
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Usada chief Travis Tygart has been critical of the World Anti-Doping Agency and its chief Witold Banka.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – An investigation by American law enforcement into a doping case involving 23 Chinese swimmers could keep the United States from hosting future sporting events, said the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (Asoif) on July 12.
World Aquatics confirmed in July that its executive director Brent Nowicki has been subpoenaed by the US government to testify in an investigation into how the Chinese swimmers escaped punishment after testing positive and weeks later were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
A US House of Representatives committee in May called on the Department of Justice to launch inquiries ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics to ensure American athletes would be competing on a level playing field.
The results of an independent investigation into the Chinese matter by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier released on July 9 found that World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) had not mishandled the case.
“The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations is greatly concerned that the leadership of one of its member international federations has been ordered to testify as a witness in a United States federal investigation,” said Asoif.
The US investigation has chilled relations between the 2028 Olympic host country and a chunk of the international sporting community, with some federations expressing concern about sending officials there over fears they could be arrested. Images of members of football’s world governing body Fifa being arrested on US corruption charges as they exited a Zurich hotel in 2015 remain fresh.
“The US extraterritorial investigation raises doubts about the personal safety of athletes, sport officials and representatives of international sport organisations and the confidence with which they may travel to the US for international sporting competitions and commitments,” said Asoif in a statement.
“The investigation may lead IFs (international federations) to consider the risks of allocating future international events to the US.”
Asoif wants clarification from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Organising Committee regarding their position on Wada, which has come under criticism from United States Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart.
“Running from accountability as fast as they can. Why would any federation or athlete be afraid of telling the truth?” Tygart said. “Wada president (Witold) Banka and his cronies fear-mongering again and using scare tactics, clearly, signalling they have something to hide.” REUTERS
