Earlier this morning, SwimSwam’s Braden Keith reported that Chinese state run news agency Xinhua has published a confirmation from the Chinese Swimming Association that Xinyi has failed a doping test. Xinyi tested positive for the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. She was also scheduled to compete in the 50m freestyle heats on Friday.
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The Chinese Swimming Association tells the Xinhua official news agency that the swimmer Chen Xinyi tested positive, but no specifics were given.
How “B” testing works: If an Olympic athlete tests positive, she can ask for her second sample – known as her “B” – to be tested, according to a BBC article pegged to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Diuretics increase urination rates and can be used as “masking agents” to hide the presence of performance-enhancing substances that are screened for in doping tests.
It also reiterates its resolute disapproval of banned substances.
Doping allegations against Russian and Chinese athletes have triggered tensions between them and Team USA since the Games began.
Xinhua quoted a spokesperson of the Chinese Swimming Association as saying that the association is firmly opposed to the use of stimulants, and will actively cooperate with the worldwide sports arbitration court in its investigation.
Michael Phelps blew away the competition in the Olympic pool for the 22nd time, but doping reared its ugly head again yesterday when Chinese swimmer Chen Xinyi was revealed as the first major case of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while Taiwanese were in action in golf, archery, badminton, tennis and sailing. On that day the 18-year-old came fourth in the women’s 100m butterfly final – just 0.09 seconds away from a place on the podium. That decision has sparked complaints from several swimmers, most notably American Lilly King.
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Media reports named the official as sprint coach John Anzrah, saying he had attempted to impersonate athlete Ferguson Rotich during a doping test and gave a urine sample on his behalf. “At present, we will continue to monitor”, Li said. Last year, she was a second adrift that pace, then in the Rio 2016 final she finished fourth in 56.72.
