Chinese sports official urges caution over supplements after swim doping saga

HONG KONG: A top Chinese sports official has called for caution in the management of food, drugs and nutritional supplements to ensure there are no "slip-ups" after China's swim team were under heavy scrutiny at the Paris Olympics over the country's doping record.

Liu Guoyong, deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China, said anti-doping efforts were crucial and urged Chinese athletes to "earn respect through strength and integrity", the official China Daily reported on Wednesday (Aug 21).

China's swim team has faced heightened scrutiny since revelations in April that 23 swimmers had tested positive for a banned heart medication in 2021 but were permitted to compete in the Tokyo Olympics that year.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted the findings of a Chinese investigation that the results were due to contamination from a hotel kitchen, and an independent review backed WADA's handling of the case.

"We must be cautious, especially when it comes to the management of food, medicine and nutritional products," Liu said during a Chinese Paralympians conference ahead of the Paris Paralympic Games from Aug 28 to Sep 8.

"We have to make sure any accidental consumption incidents are nipped in the bud, and there is no room for slip-ups."

Liu said athletes may have to deal with problems beyond their performances and technical preparations, with "unique challenges, including disruptions and interferences from Western powers at the upcoming Paris Games."

Pan Zhanle, who set a world record to win 100m freestyle gold in Paris, said he underwent more than 20 doping tests from May to July prior to the Games.

China's President Xi Jinping on Tuesday hailed the Chinese Olympic delegation for maintaining high standards of