The saga of doping by contamination in Chinese swimming is not over. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has added a new episode by publishing a long press release where it details the first conclusions of the report submitted by the independent prosecutor, the Swiss Eric Cottier, commissioned last April to try to shed light on the matter and especially on its management by WADA. Without much surprise, this still interim report – the final version is announced for the coming weeks – proves WADA right. It is written there that “nothing in the record suggests that WADA showed favoritism or pandering, or in any way benefited the 23 swimmers who tested positive for TMZ between January 1 and 3, 2021, when it is submitted to the examination of the decision of CHINADA to pronounce the closure without further continuation of the procedure carried out concerning them. » Clearly, WADA did its job according to the rules, without external pressure. The report produced by Eric Cottier also ensures that it has “not discovered no element to suggest any interference or interference in the review carried out by WADA. » Finally, the Swiss prosecutor concluded from his analysis of the case that WADA's decision not to “form an appeal »was "reasonable ", both in terms of the facts and the applicable rules. End of the story ? Surely not. Independent report or not, the Americans will not stop there. They have already announced that they have subpoenaed the executive director of World Aquatics, Brent Nowicki, before a committee of the House of Representatives. And WADA itself could be tempted to take advantage of the Swiss prosecutor's conclusions to continue the standoff. It explains it in its press release: “The Agency will review with its external legal advisors what action can be taken against those who have made false and potentially defamatory allegations. » At the top of the list are the Americans from USADA, including general manager Travis Tygart.
