The news of the positive test comes against a backdrop of recriminations at the pool in Rio, as swimmers from Australia, Great Britain, the United States and elsewhere have lined up to criticise the anti-doping efforts of the sport’s world governing body FINA, particularly in relation to China and Russian Federation.
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She is next scheduled compete in the 50-meter freestyle on Saturday, the website says.
The athlete has now appealed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to test her “B” sample and hold an evidentiary hearing over the matter.
The CSA were incensed after Australian 400m Freestyle gold medalist Mack Horton called silver medalist swimmer Sun Yang a “drug cheat” in reference to his three-month ban in 2014 after testing positive for trimetazidine.
“The CSA has taken this matter seriously and demanded full cooperation from Chen in the investigation”, it added.
There were no immediate details on the positive test, which comes as doping has been a major storyline in the Rio Games.
Chinese fans have reacted to news of Ms Chen’s failed drug test with shock and disbelief.
As a rising star on the Chinese swimming team, Chen represented China and won a gold medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay at the world championships in Kazan, Russia, last year.
Li Keke is a spokeswoman for China’s national anti-doping agency and said she had no additional information at the time.
“We have noticed media reports about the case”. “So far the anti-doping agency has yet to receive any official confirmation”. The Olympic committee and FINA should know about it.
Most stood – and continue to stand – by Sun, but Friday’s revelation that an athlete representing China appears to have taken banned substances has caused some to pause for reflection.
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FINA, the global governing body of swimming, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
