Seven months before the 2021 Olympics, 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for doping.
Despite that, they were allowed to continue competing.
A total of 13 competed at the Olympics in Tokyo – where they won three golds.
The news was revealed by American New York Times and German ARD on Saturday morning, and hit the swimming world like a bomb.
“Very regrettable”
Michelle Coleman had not had time to hear the news when SVT Sport contacted her, but after reading what happened
– It is of course very regrettable when this kind of thing happens, but at the same time it is good that it comes out. After all, we all want to compete on equal terms, and making this public and visible is an important part of hopefully being able to do so in the future, she says, adding:
– Even if you get very upset, and that it’s sad and tiring to hear that it’s going on, it’s not news in itself and it’s not the first time it’s happened.
Have there been any rumors about the Chinese in the swimming world?
– No, it is nothing that I have been aware of or heard anything about. But it is clear. Today, probably no sport is completely clean. That’s how it is.
How will it feel to face these Sims, should you be pitted against them in the future?
– In order to succeed in performing, it is important to focus on yourself and your own, and not think so much about everyone else, because then I think you would go completely crazy.
– That mindset will probably become more important than ever if there were no penalties from an investigation like this.
She also admits that the news affects her confidence in anti-doping activities.
– When a case like this comes up, one’s trust is definitely affected, she says.