Chen, 18, who finished fourth in the women’s 100 metres butterfly five days ago, has reportedly tested positive to banned substance Hydrochlorothiazide, Chinese state media cited the country’s swimming federation (CSA) as saying.
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China’s National Anti-Doping Agency provided no comment so far.
Chen has applied to the International Olympic Committee for a test of sample B and a hearing to look into the matter, said the CSA.
She was also scheduled for compete in the 50 freestyle beginning Friday.
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 global sports arbitration court in its investigation.
European champion weightlifter Tomasz Zielinksi and Bulgarian 3,000m steeplechase runner Silvia Danekova were the first definitive exclusions ordered by a special anti-doping division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Rio, it said in a statement.
Athletics starts at the Rio Olympics on a mission to win back fans after the Russian Federation and Kenya doping scandals of the past year.
The governing body flatly refused to confirm or deny the news of Chen’s positive at the pool on Thursday night, where Efimova was again booed by a section of the crowd for her doping past. China’s biggest doping scandal came to light in 1994 during the Asian Games in Hiroshima, where seven Chinese athletes failed their drug tests.
Controversies over doping overshadowed the build-up to Rio and, far from dying down as events got under way, have flared anew as USA and Australian competitors have branded their Russian and Chinese rivals as drug cheats.
French swimmer Camille Lacourt also waded into the row after Sun won gold in the 200m freestyle final, telling a French radio station: “Sun Yang, he pisses purple”. The risk of detection does not necessarily end with a negative test result.
“I am not guilty, I have done nothing wrong. We’re a family and it’s a great support system”, the 20-year-old American added. Track and field manager Michael Rotich was ejected after a Sunday Times investigation claimed he was prepared to warn other coaches about drug tests for a £10,000 fee.
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Golf started its return performance at the Rio Games.
