WADA statement regarding U.S. Department of Justice investigation into Chinese swimming case

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is disappointed to learn that the U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating the 2021 contamination case of 23 swimmers in China. At this time, WADA has not received any contact or request from U.S. law enforcement. 

The public reports about this investigation validate the concerns expressed broadly by the international community about the passage of the Rodchenkov Act, under which the United States purports to exercise extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction over participants in the global anti-doping system.  

WADA reviewed the Chinese swimmer case file diligently, consulted with scientific and legal experts, and ultimately determined that it was in no position to challenge the contamination scenario, such that an appeal was not warranted. Guided by science and expert consultations, we stand by that good-faith determination in the face of the incomplete and misleading news reports on which this investigation appears to be based.