USADA Says WADA ‘Trying to Pull The Wool Over Our Eyes’ With Independent Investigation

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

USADA Says WADA ‘Trying to Pull The Wool Over Our Eyes’ With Independent Investigation

The revelation that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine prior to the 2021 Olympics but were not suspended brought immense criticism to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for an apparent failure to fully investigate the incident. WADA responded to the allegations by appointing Eric Cottier as an independent prosecutor to review its handling of the case, but the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is not convinced.

USADA has been exceptionally critical of WADA in recent weeks over the matter of the Chinese swimmers, with CEO Travis T. Tygart leading the way, and a statement from USADA following Cottier’s appointment continued that trend.

The statement said that WADA “cherry pick[ed] an attorney from its own backyard without any independent athlete input or participation.” Further, “by calling this an ‘independent’ investigation, WADA leadership is trying to pull the wool over our eyes” because WADA was appointing its own attorney to review the case while “the world’s athletes deserve a truly independent review commission.”

The statement also calls for a full investigation of the Chinese individuals involved with the case, including hotel staff at the facility where the TMZ contamination allegedly occurred, and USADA emphasizes that the rules call for full transparency in no fault cases, pointing out that the organization always announces those findings “because the rules require it. Even in situations where USADA does not agree with the rules, we uphold them because that ensures every athlete worldwide is held to the same standard. And yet, WADA leadership is undermining that global agreement by giving free passes at its own discretion.”

Previously, a statement from WADA We continue to reject the false accusations and we are pleased to be able to put these questions into the hands of an experienced, respected and independent prosecutor. I thank the members of WADA’s Executive Committee for meeting at such short notice and for their support in this matter.

The full statement from USADA is available here.

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