China Calls for Enhanced Doping Prevention Ahead of Paris Paralympics

A top Chinese sports official has emphasized caution in managing food, drugs, and supplements to avoid doping incidents as China's swim team faces scrutiny following past doping cases. Liu Guoyong, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, urged athletes to uphold integrity at the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games.

A prominent Chinese sports official has stressed the need for vigilance in the management of food, drugs, and nutritional supplements to prevent doping mishaps, following intense scrutiny of China's swim team at the Paris Olympics.

Liu Guoyong, deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China, highlighted the critical role of anti-doping measures and called on Chinese athletes to 'earn respect through strength and integrity,' according to the China Daily on Wednesday.

The swim team has been under the microscope since April, after it was revealed that 23 swimmers tested positive for a banned heart medication in 2021 but still competed in the Tokyo Olympics. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted China's investigation, attributing the results to contamination from a hotel kitchen, and an independent review supported WADA's position.

'We must be cautious, particularly with food, medicine, and nutritional product management,' Liu stated at a Chinese Paralympians conference before the Paris Paralympic Games. 'Any accidental consumption incidents must be prevented to ensure there are no slip-ups,' Liu added, highlighting the challenges athletes face beyond their performances.

Pan Zhanle, a world record holder who won gold in the 100 metres freestyle in Paris, revealed he underwent more than 20 doping tests between May and July ahead of the games. On Tuesday, President Xi Jinping commended the Chinese Olympic delegation for upholding high standards of morality, style, and cleanliness in their quest for gold medals at the Paris Olympics.

(With inputs from agencies.)