The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been criticized for its handling of a case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance in 2021. Despite the positive tests, the Chinese swimmers were still allowed to compete in the previous Olympic Games in Tokyo. The public became aware of these positive tests only when they were reported by The New York Times and German broadcaster ARD earlier this year.
Now, it has been announced that Brent Nowicki, the executive director of the international swimming federation (FINA), has been summoned to testify as a witness in a U.S. criminal investigation into the matter. This news comes shortly before the Paris Olympics, where 11 of the Chinese swimmers involved in the case are expected to participate.
The House Committee on China requested on May 21 that the Justice Department and the FBI look into the matter under a federal law that permits investigations into doping conspiracies even if they occurred outside the United States. World Aquatics, FINA’s governing body, revealed to The Associated Press that their top administrator, Brent Nowicki, has been served a subpoena to participate in the investigation.
World Aquatics declined to provide further details about how Nowicki was served with the subpoena or which office is handling it. As of now, no official from FINA or World Aquatics has provided any comment on this matter. However, according to an official statement by FINA, Nowicki is currently cooperating with authorities and is preparing for his testimony before a Grand Jury.