World Aquatics Demonstrates Comprehensive and Rigorous Testing Programme Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
World Aquatics today announced the successful implementation of the most comprehensive and rigorous testing programme in its history in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
This extensive initiative underscores World Aquatics’ commitment to ensuring clean sport and fair competition for all aquatics athletes.
The testing programme, designed and implemented by the International Testing Agency (ITA), encompasses a wide range of tests conducted both in and out-of-competition. In total, 2,145 anti-doping tests have been conducted by World Aquatics on athletes participating in the Olympic Games in Paris since 1 January 2024.
Including tests conducted by other anti-doping organisations, aquatics athletes competing in Paris have been tested an average of 3.4 times, with 4,774 taken in total. This is the most tests ever conducted by World Aquatics before an Olympic Games.
Swimmers from China were the most tested athletes during this period. Since 1 January 2024, the 31 swimmers from China competing in Paris have each been tested at least 10 times by World Aquatics, with an average of 13 tests per swimmer. World Aquatics conducted a total of 418 tests through this programme. All Chinese swimmers have been tested out-of-competition at least eight times by World Aquatics, independently of any other anti-doping organisation and using a WADA-accredited laboratory based in Europe.
Including tests conducted by other anti-doping organisations, Chinese swimmers have been tested on average 21 times since 1 January 2024. Australian swimmers have been tested an average of four times in the same period, and USA swimmers an average of six times.
“It is our top priority that our athletes compete in a clean and fair competition,” said Husain Al-Musallam, President of World Aquatics. “Our rigorous testing programme reflects our dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity in aquatic sports and we are grateful for the ITA’s partnership in conducting it.”
The ITA will continue to operate an extensive in-competition anti-doping programme during Paris 2024 on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
World Aquatics also continues to work tirelessly to ensure the highest standards of integrity in aquatics competitions.
The independent Aquatics Integrity Unit began operations on 1 January 2023 as part of sweeping governance reforms. The Aquatics Integrity Unit is chaired by Miguel Cardenal Carro, and its website includes a reporting platform for people to anonymously relay information about potential integrity violations in the areas of safe sport, competition manipulation, and disciplinary and ethical violations.
