Doping Dispute Over Chinese Swimmers Puts US Olympic Hosting at Risk

Olympic Games set for LA in 2028 and Salt Lake City in 2034 could be on thin ice as the US alleges China was allowed ’to sweep 23 positive cases under the rug.’

From top, USA's Lydia Jacoby, China's Yan Zibei, Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi, and Russia's Kirill Prigoda dive to compete in their leg of the final of the mixed 4x100m medley relay swimming event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on July 31, 2021. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP) Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images

A doping dispute involving Chinese swimmers could derail the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the newly awarded 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The dispute stems from the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who, months before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, tested positive for trimetazidine, or TMZ, which is used to increase stamina and hasten recovery time.