China's Drug Test Dilemma: Is Science Clear or Cloudy?

A surprising revelation shook the sports world when it was unveiled that 23 top Chinese swimmers tested positive for a prohibited performance-enhancing drug ahead of the 2021 Olympics. The Chinese officials stood firm, defending their decision to spare the athletes from punishment by pointing to scientific evidence. This evidence, they claimed, showed that the swimmers were likely exposed to the drug unknowingly through meals served at their hotel during a competition. But is the science as solid as officials assert? A detailed look at the secret human trials run by China during their investigation, along with insights from experts in research, antidoping, and toxicology, suggests that the situation might not be as clear-cut as initially presented. The Chinese authorities have kept the results of these trials under wraps, but a copy of the research was obtained and reviewed by five scientists and doctors. Their assessment questions the clarity of the science used to exonerate the athletes.