The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) has publicly expressed its concerns regarding the recent decision by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) concerning American sprinter Erriyon Knighton. Knighton, a prominent member of the U.S. Olympic track and field team, tested positive for the banned steroid trenbolone during an out-of-competition test on March 26.
In a surprising move, USADA decided shortly before the domestic qualifiers for the Paris Olympics that no ineligibility would be imposed on Knighton. The agency attributed the positive test to the ingestion of contaminated meat, allowing the athlete to continue representing the United States.
CHINADA's statement highlights a perceived double standard in USADA's approach. While American athletes like Knighton seem to receive leniency by attributing positive results to external factors, Chinese swimmers have faced accusations of doping without similar considerations. CHINADA points out that studies have shown trenbolone to be a potent anabolic agent, not commonly found as a contaminant, raising questions about the validity of USADA's claims.
The agency also criticized USADA for its lack of transparency and consistency, noting that many athletes from the U.S. have escaped sanctions by claiming contamination, whereas similar cases involving Chinese athletes have led to stringent actions. CHINADA further questioned whether USADA has conducted thorough market research on meat contamination and adequately warned American athletes about such risks.
Additionally, CHINADA highlighted discrepancies in anti-doping standards within the United States, pointing out that major professional leagues and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) do not adhere to the World Anti-Doping Code, creating a fragmented approach to doping enforcement.
The statement calls on USADA to maintain integrity, ensure consistent application of anti-doping measures, and align its practices with global standards to regain the trust of the international community.
Reference(s):
CHINADA Statement on USA Erriyon Knighton's Positive Test for Steroid
cgtn.com
