Chinese Swimmer Doping Scandal Explained

In a recent investigation, it was revealed that Chinese swimmer Tang Muhan, who will be competing in the 200-meter freestyle relay in Paris, tested positive for a banned steroid in 2022 along with another athlete, He Jun. Typically, such a finding would lead to suspension, a hearing, and public disclosure, but in this case, both athletes were secretly suspended and later cleared by the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA). The official narrative suggests that the contamination occurred through hamburgers eaten during a training camp in Beijing. The steroid in question, metadone, boosts lean muscle mass but is not commonly found in meat. Despite skepticism, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) could not disprove the contamination theory and allowed the athletes to compete. This isn't an isolated incident; similar patterns have occurred with Chinese swimmers in the past, shedding light on issues within anti-doping practices.