American Swimmers Told of Chinese Doping Violations at Tokyo Olympics
Three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics, Chinese swimmers captured six medals, including gold medals by Zhang Yufei in the 200 butterfly and gold in the women’s 800 freestyle relay, with Zhang swimming the third leg, later that evening. Now, however, those results could be amended because of newly-uncovered doping violations from Chinese swimmers.
Sports Illustrated writer Pat Forde, whose daughter Brooke Forde was a prelims swimmer on that relay squad, reported on X about “alleged Chinese positive drug tests that could alter the outcomes of multiple races and change medal distribution.”
As of Friday evening, neither USA Swimming nor the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency have commented publicly on the possibility of Chinese disqualifications and a reallocation of medals.
The Chinese relay team that won gold included Yang Junxuan, Tang Muhan, Zhang and Li Bingjie, while American Allison Schmitt, Paige Madden, Katie McLaughlin and Katie Ledecky won silver. The Australians, favored coming into the race, ended with bronze behind Ariarne Titmus, Emma McKeon, Madison Wilson and Leah Neale. The medal was one of seven McKeon won in Tokyo.
If China is indeed disqualified and the Americans upgraded to gold, Ledecky’s total of Olympic gold medals would be upgraded to eight, a total that only four Olympians in any sport have ever surpassed. Michael Phelps, with 23 gold medals, is the only Olympian to win 10 or more, and Ledecky will have a chance to join that club, perhaps as soon as this summer’s Paris Olympics.
Additionally, a DQ would push Canada into bronze-medal position, which would give Canada’s Summer McIntosh her first Olympic medal. McIntosh was fourth in the 400 free as well as this relay in Tokyo as a 14-year-old before becoming one of the world’s best swimmers in the mid-distance freestyle events along with the 200 fly and 400 IM.
This is surprising news! Evidently, the 800 m free relay has just been officially adjudicated against the Chinese women’s relay that won gold in that event. I am happy that scientists can continue to check blood content of Olympic swimmers and athletes more generally years after the fact. This should discourage cheating and allow the best athletes to achieve their goals for themselves and their country. Go Team USA !
Yeah team USA dopers who have been caught are allowed to keep their medals, like Carl Lewis for instance.
Hopefully more are caught. You must wonder about their Paris team’s “cleanliness”!
East Germany all over again?
There is no way to know how many western swimmers are taking drugs due to TUEs is there?
They need to be banned for life lile the Russians. They stole the lifelong dreams of so many. Unacceptable.
Should remember what the hypocrite Tygart said in 2019 about those with contaminated sources.
How many western swimmers have been found with contaminated substances? Give me a number. Oh wait you couldn’t it’s confidential like Travis said before.