{"id":415586,"date":"2020-02-16T01:18:20","date_gmt":"2020-02-16T08:18:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=415586"},"modified":"2020-02-16T04:02:37","modified_gmt":"2020-02-16T11:02:37","slug":"halt-to-anti-doping-testing-in-china-over-corona-crisis-raises-concern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/halt-to-anti-doping-testing-in-china-over-corona-crisis-raises-concern\/","title":{"rendered":"Halt To Anti-Doping Testing In China Over Corona Crisis Raises Concern"},"content":{"rendered":"

The suspension of anti-doping testing in China as a result of measures imposed to help contain and control the spread of the Corona – COVID 19 – virus<\/strong> enters its third week tomorrow amid concerns over fairness heading into the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Rob Koehler<\/strong>, head of Global Athlete<\/strong>, has called for “transparency and a solution” after testing by Chinada, the Chinese anti-doping agency<\/strong>, was halted on February 3. The suspension of testing could be in place for weeks, if not months leading into the Olympic Games set to get underway on July 24.<\/p>\n

Many international sports events, including test events for the Olympics, have been cancelled<\/a> as a result of the corona crisis but the\u00a0International Olympic Committee<\/a><\/strong> and Japanese organisers this week dubbed as “irresponsible speculation” talk of cancellation of the Games.<\/p>\n

International & Domestic Testing On Hold<\/h3>\n

Beyond domestic testing by Chinada, between 80 and 120 international out-of-competition tests ordered by FINA<\/strong>, the international federation, would normally be conducted on Chinese aquatic athletes in the first quarter (up to 160 in the first four months) of the year, based on the statistics of seasons past. None of that is now taking place as a result of the Corona containment.<\/p>\n

While there is no criticism of the need to operate strict containment policies as China, the source of the COVID-19 outbreak, and other nations work with the World Health Organisation (WHO)<\/strong>, Koelher is asking for clarity and measures designed “to avoid any suspicion” of foul play. This is as much to protect China’s athletes as those from anywhere else in the world, he told Christoph Becker at the Frankfurter Allgemeine<\/em><\/a> this week:<\/p>\n

“This is the right of Chinese athletes who want to compete in Tokyo. The athletes who compete against competition from China in Tokyo have the right to fair competition. That includes the knowledge that doping control measures were taken in the months before the Games.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)<\/strong> says that it plans to work with the Chinese authorities to “ensure the (anti-doping) program’s integrity is maintained despite the outbreak” and the resulting travel restrictions to and inside China.<\/p>\n

As yet, no details have been given as to how that cooperation would work to ensure Chinese athletes will be available for testing this month. A halt to testing also means a suspension of the “availability” system under which athletes must provide a time and place each day where and when they can be reached by unannounced testers.<\/p>\n

In its latest responses to media, WADA said that specific questions about which steps were planned could not be given at the moment.<\/p>\n

On January 30, the World Health Organisation (WHO),\u00a0<\/a>declared the outbreak of “novel coronavirus 2019- nCoV<\/strong>” a Public Health Emergency of International Concern<\/strong> (PHEIC). It did not recommend any travel or trade restrictions at the time but stated:<\/p>\n

“Countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoV infection…”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

WHO’s Guide To The Corona Virus:<\/h3>\n