The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) has asked the International Testing Agency (ITA) to step up tests on American track and field athletes after sprinter Erriyon Knighton tested positive for the banned substance trenbolone. CHINADA accused the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) of a double standard, claiming that USADA was doing everything it could to exonerate US athletes, while accusing CHINADA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of a cover-up.
Although Knighton tested positive for trenbolone, he was not suspended for the Paris Games after an arbitrator ruled that the result was probably due to contaminated meat. The head of USADA said that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but had been allowed to compete.
Last Thursday, CHINADA pointed out that trenbolone is a common contaminant in the US, warning athletes around the world, including Americans, of the risk of contaminated meat. It cited WADA, which revealed that 31% of American athletes had not been properly tested in the 12 months leading up to the Tokyo Games.
In a statement on WeChat, CHINADA called on the ITA to step up testing of US track and field athletes and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to strengthen anti-doping supervision. They stressed the importance of preventing doping and investigating relevant cases in order to protect clean athletes and restore confidence in fair sport.