The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is conducting an internal investigation to uncover who was behind the leak of information regarding 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned substances in 2021, according to a report by Germany’s public broadcaster ARD on Wednesday.
Citing WADA’s internal documents, ARD stated that the inquiry—codenamed Operation Puncture—has involved requests to various anti-doping organizations in recent months for data that could help identify potential sources of the leak related to the “China file.” The operation reportedly has the approval of WADA President Witold Banka and Director General Olivier Niggli, and is being financed with funds allocated for anti-doping activities.
ARD’s editorial team noted that the Montreal-based agency declined to answer questions about the probe, including its funding and potential security risks to whistleblowers. According to ARD, internal WADA communications indicate that the investigation was initiated following a request from the agency’s own Athletes’ Commission.
The controversy surrounding the Chinese swimmers has significantly impacted WADA’s credibility since it came to light nearly 18 months ago. A joint investigation by ARD and The New York Times in April revealed that, just before the Covid-delayed Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, 23 Chinese athletes had tested positive for trimetazidine—a prescription heart drug known to enhance performance. The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency maintained that the athletes had unknowingly ingested trace amounts of the substance through food contamination, as the drug was found in the kitchen of the hotel where the team had stayed. Consequently, the agency ruled that no sanctions were warranted against the swimmers.
