Chinese swimmers have been the most tested athletes at the Paris Olympics, with each being tested an average of 21 times since January 1, which was the highest among the eight largest national swimming delegations.
Since January 1, 2024, Chinese swimmers competing in Paris have each been tested 13 times on average by World Aquatics, while each has been tested 21 times on average, including tests by other anti-doping organizations.
The number was significantly higher compared to the average of six times for American swimmers, four times for Australian swimmers and five times for Italian swimmers, World Aquatics revealed on July 23.
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Pau Gasol, a member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, said the high frequency of doping tests that Chinese swimmers have been subjected to has been “unfortunate.”
“There was absolutely nothing found [in tests], and I am not sure whether the measure [of testing Chinese swimmers twice or three times than others] is right or not,” Gasol said during a press conference at the Paris Olympics.
Gasol expressed sympathy for the situation of the Chinese swimmers and praised their cooperation with the doping tests. “Multiple times in early of the day and night, it’s not easy for the athletes, especially because it disrupts rest, training, and other schedules,” he said.
World Aquatics has conducted the most comprehensive and rigorous testing program in its history at the Paris Olympics. Including tests by other anti-doping organizations, aquatics athletes competing in Paris have been tested an average of 3.4 times, with 4,774 tests in total.
