The international swimming federation has announced that its executive director is set to testify as a witness in a US criminal investigation into a banned substance scandal involving 23 Chinese swimmers. This comes just weeks before the Paris Olympics, where 11 of those swimmers will be competing.
In May, the House Committee on China requested that the Justice Department and FBI investigate the case using a federal law that allows investigations into suspected doping conspiracies regardless of where they took place. The committee made this request after reports from the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD revealed that the Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a heart medication prior to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo but were still allowed to compete.
World Aquatics, the governing body for swimming, confirmed that its executive director Brent Nowicki had received a witness subpoena from the US government. Nowicki is currently coordinating with government officials to determine whether he needs to testify before a Grand Jury or if he can provide testimony remotely. World Aquatics has not disclosed any further details about when or where Nowicki was served with the subpoena or which office is handling the investigation.
The FBI has yet to comment on the matter, but it’s clear that this scandal could have major implications for China’s participation in future Olympic Games. With only days left until the Paris Games begin, it remains unclear how this investigation will unfold and what impact it will have on China’s team of swimmers.
