Cheers, squeals, and fluttering flags filled the air as Zhang Yufei made her way to the women’s 100m butterfly semi-final at 8:38 PM in the lively La Défense Arena.
Zhang smiled and waved, maintaining her focus ahead, then swam a swift 56.15 seconds to secure second place and advance to the final. Every Olympic athlete seeks that serene zone, aimed at ignoring the surrounding chaos to form a personal haven. For Zhang and 10 other Chinese swimmers competing in Paris, this moment carries an added layer of defiance amidst the backdrop of broader tensions.
The opening day of competition promised to be vibrant, contrasting sharply with two major stories of the day. Paris 2024 showcased the essence of sporting excellence in the women’s 400m freestyle final, which was hyped as the Race of the Century.
This event featured elite competitors, with reigning champion Ariarne Titmus leading from the outset to triumph over Katie Ledecky, widely regarded as one of the greatest female swimmers ever. The Canadian prodigy Summer McIntosh, who also excelled under the challenging conditions of these rain-drenched Games, took the silver medal; ironically, she’s named after the current must-have garment for Paris 2024. We could all use a summer Mackintosh right now.
Simultaneously, Paris 2024 unwittingly hosted an alternative Race of the Century—a cold war narrative that starkly contrasts the spirit of sport and risks overshadowing it.
When news broke in April that 23 Chinese swimmers had been cleared of a previously undisclosed doping violation before the Tokyo Olympics, it signaled a return to an all-too-familiar underlying tension. Distrust, skepticism, and allegations surfaced during these Games, aggravated by UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) facing its own inquiries into the matter, highlighting concerns about the overall process.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has stated it remains confident in its findings from an independent report regarding the case. The Chinese swimmers had tested positive for TMZ, a performance-enhancing heart medication, but details were kept private. The initial news emerged from German broadcaster ARD and the New York Times, by which time many athletes had already participated in Tokyo 2020, with 11 of those implicated competing in Paris.
This situation defined the opening day at La Défense, featuring three Chinese swimmers cleared by Wada. Zhang Yufei was first, followed by Fei Lewei in the men’s 400m freestyle final. Qin Haiyang, known for his robust defense this week regarding China’s doping history, participated in the men’s 100m breaststroke semi-final, eagerly anticipating a gold match against Adam Peaty.
Earlier, Peaty expressed concerns about not wanting “any cheats in the pool,” referring specifically to technical rulings akin to football’s VAR. However, the underlying tension surrounding doping is palpable, creating feelings of rivalry and broader cultural friction.
Swimming inherently fosters this type of tension. Its nature demands precise technique, endurance, and relentless training, making it particularly susceptible to doping exploits. This sport encapsulates the struggle with pain and effort that often occurs behind closed doors.
Consequently, swimming faces significant skepticism regarding the integrity of the competition. The foundational question remains: Do we truly believe in the authenticity of what we’re witnessing? If that trust falters, everything collapses. This context is crucial when examining the Chinese case.
Wada acknowledged the assertions made by China’s anti-doping agency regarding the swimmers’ stay at the Huayang Holiday hotel, where traces of TMZ were purportedly discovered later. The explanation suggested that the drug might have inadvertently entered the athletes’ meals. However, the presence of TMZ in drains and kitchens was never thoroughly clarified. One wonders if a group of heart patients was simultaneously using those facilities for a conference?
Some contend that the detected quantities were negligible, raising questions about their relevance, yet this issue sits at the core of the matter. Without strict zero tolerance, any exceptions undermine doping policies, leaving lingering doubts. Critics assert that Wada has inadequately scrutinized the evidence, suggesting that engaging with China’s stature remains politically delicate.
Saturday marked the onset of significant competition amidst this toxicity. Recently, Qin remarked on social media that intensified drug testing for Chinese swimmers is a strategy aimed at destabilizing their performances.
after newsletter promotion
China often implies that these matters stem from Sinophobia, racial bias, or US propaganda. There’s even a perception that at a political level, China welcomes the scrutiny aimed at its athletes as a sign of hostility and a means to foster a collective sense of victimization.
Before anyone forms righteous judgments, it’s crucial to consider the recent incident involving Jade Jones.
Chinese media will certainly pay close attention when taekwondo commences in the second week of the Games; Jones, a two-time gold medalist, aims for a third consecutive win. Her case regarding a missed drug test became somewhat obscured amid the Euros 2024 climax. Here’s how it unfolded.
In December, a doping control officer arrived at her Manchester hotel at 6:50 AM, requesting a urine sample, which she declined. Refusing such a test can culminate in a four-year ban. Ultimately, Jones faced no repercussions and is competing in Paris due to her appeal’s acceptance.
Jones, through her attorney, argued that she was dehydrated from weight management efforts, impairing her cognitive functions to the point of irrational decision-making. She tested negative for drugs 12 hours later, marking a brief but significant moment. An investigation later concluded that she bore no fault or negligence related to her refusal for sample collection.
This week, UK Team’s chef de mission, Mark England, assured that he felt “completely comfortable” with the overall process. He highlighted that Jones had been exonerated by both Ukad and Wada, while also referencing her “remorse,” which, while admirable, remains incidental.
It raises the question of how such comfort is conceivable. Ultimately, Ukad operates under governmental authority. How do they justify their claim to a higher standard amidst growing uncertainties surrounding zero tolerance, code compliance, and the threat of exceptions? Ukad was part of the review following the exposure of Russia’s state-sponsored doping scheme. How would Russian officials respond to this situation?
Credibility is a delicate matter. The integrity of the spectacle itself hangs in the balance. La Défense offered memorable moments on Saturday night, including a remarkable women’s 4x100m relay final, where an exuberant Australian team claimed victory over the US and China. However, it also reopened discussions about the underlying issues of integrity, doubt, inadequate processes, and narratives that may emerge in the days ahead.
