Chinese swimmers have stood up to the scrutiny of repeated doping tests, winning gold medals in a "fair and square" manner during the Paris Olympics, two experts in sports said on Monday.
Speaking with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Daily National sports editor Mike Bako and president of Axis Leisure Management Justin Downes shared their views on the frequent doping tests the Chinese swimmers have been subjected to during the Games, and the team's gold-winning performance in the men's 100-meter freestyle and in the men's 4x100 meters swimming medley.
Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle broke the world record to win an Olympic gold in men's 100-meter freestyle last Wednesday. And on Sunday, Pan led his three teammates to victory in the men's 4x100 meters swimming medley, ending the United States' 64-year unbeaten run in the event.
The victories came as doubts about doping have overshadowed the Chinese swimming team, despite the athletes' repeated clean test results.
According to World Aquatics, swimming's governing body, anti-doping organizations tested each Chinese swimmer an average of 21 times since Jan. 1. The number was significantly higher compared to the average of six times for American and four times for Australian swimmers.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has also reviewed the Chinese athletes' case and found no evidence to dispute a previous contamination scenario related to the Chinese team.
Bako said the unfair accusations aim to stigmatize the Chinese swimming team, which is among the world's most dominant.
"There is this stigma that is there. Even though they are the most tested, even though there have been Olympic officials that have come out and said that, 'Yes, they are the most tested. Yes, there is no red flags. Yes, there are no positives yet.' But still, when it comes on this stage at the most prestigious of races, whether it be the 100 meters or certainly from a team perspective, the 4x100, when the race that has the most scrutiny is won by someone in such dominating fashion and such historic fashion, that's where all of the emphasis is going to be and that's where it is right now. Certainly, the spotlight shines the brightest, but if there are no positive tests to come of this, then of course they get the headlines and they get the glory," he said.
Downes expressed his confidence in WADA's credibility and impartiality, and believes the Chinese Olympic swimmers follow the rules in competition.
"I think WADA is a robust, long-serving association. I mean, this is their sole job is to protect athletes and protect the sport from any indiscretion. So, I think, no one wants to lose and I think everybody wants to find fault in the system, to prove that they're better. I hope that's not really the case. But I have to believe that WADA is at no fault. Maybe they need to upscale their testing mechanisms in the future. I don't believe that's the case because they've been doing this for so long. So, I think I truly believe that the Chinese team is clean. They won these events and are wining these events fair and square. I think they're competing on the same platform and playing field as every other athlete at these Games. China is becoming a powerhouse in the world of sport and obviously in the world of swimming. And this is new, and this is scary for the dominating nations," he said.
Chinese swimmers' Olympic win "fair and square": experts
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said that China is ready to work with all parties to build a just world of common development, and outlined China's eight actions for global development.
Xi made the remarks at the first session of the 19th G20 Summit in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, which focused on the fight against hunger and poverty.
In his speech entitled "Building a Just World of Common Development," Xi pointed out that transformation of a scale not seen in a century is accelerating across the world today, and humanity faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges.
As leaders of major countries, G20 leaders should not let their vision be blocked by fleeting clouds. Rather, they must see the world as one community with a shared future, and shoulder their responsibility for history, take historical initiative and move history forward, Xi said.
Xi noted that at the Hangzhou Summit in 2016, China placed development at the center of the G20's macroeconomic policy coordination for the first time, and noted the Rio Summit this year has chosen the theme of "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet," and has decided to establish a Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.
He said that from Hangzhou to Rio, G20 leaders have been working for one and the same goal, that aims to build a just world of common development.
To build such a world, Xi said, it is important to channel more resources to such fields as trade, investment and development cooperation, and strengthen development institutions, and there should be more bridges of cooperation, and less "small yard, high fences," so that more and more developing countries will be better off and achieve modernization.
He said it is important to support developing countries in adopting sustainable production and lifestyles, properly responding to challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, enhancing ecological conservation, and achieving harmony between man and nature.
It is important to foster an open, inclusive and nondiscriminatory environment for international economic cooperation, promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, energize sustainable development with new technologies, new industries and new business forms, and support developing countries in better integrating in digital, smart and green development to bridge the North-South gap, he said.
Xi added it is also important to stay committed to multilateralism, and uphold the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
He underscored that China's development is an important part of the common development of the world.
China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, and met the poverty reduction target of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ahead of schedule, Xi said, adding that these achievements are the fruit of the strenuous, unified efforts of the Chinese government and people.
Noting that China always places the people front and center, and solemnly declares that "not a single poor region or person should be left behind," Xi said China tackles poverty by making targeted policies, facilitating economic growth, fostering industries with distinctive features in various localities, and promoting common prosperity.
China's story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty, that a weaker bird can start early and fly high, when there is the endurance, perseverance, and striving spirit that enables water drops to penetrate rocks over time and turns blueprints into reality, Xi said.
If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too, and this is what China's battle against poverty says to the world, he added.
Xi stressed that China will always be a member of the Global South, a reliable long-term partner of fellow developing countries, and a doer and go-getter working for the cause of global development. China will go hand in hand with fellow developing countries toward modernization, he said.
Xi also presented eight actions by China to support global development.
First, pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China is moving ahead with the development of the multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network, one that is led by the building of a green Silk Road and will empower a digital Silk Road.
Second, implementing the Global Development Initiative. China will make sure the Global South research center that is being built is fit for purpose, continue to support developing countries, and deepen practical cooperation in areas such as poverty reduction, food security and the digital economy.
Third, supporting development in Africa. At the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing in September, China unveiled ten partnership actions on joining hands with Africa to advance modernization over the next three years and committed financial support in this connection.
Fourth, supporting international cooperation on poverty reduction and food security. China has decided to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. China supports the G20 in continuing to convene the Development Ministerial Meeting, and will stay a committed host of the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste.
Fifth, China, alongside Brazil, South Africa and the African Union, is proposing an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science to help the Global South gain better access to global advances in science, technology and innovation.
Sixth, supporting the G20 in carrying out practical cooperation for the benefit of the Global South. China supports the work of the Entrepreneurship Research Center on G20 Economies based in Beijing, and supports cooperation on digital education and the digitization of museums and ancient archives.
Seventh, implementing the G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan. China is strengthening cooperation with fellow developing countries in fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, denial of safe haven, and anti-corruption capacity building.
Eighth, China is pursuing high-standard opening up, and unilaterally opening its doors wider to the least developed countries (LDCs). China has announced the decision to give all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines.
In conclusion, Xi stated that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. China is ready to take steps together with all parties to build a just world of common development, leave poverty in the past, and turn vision into reality, he said.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva chaired the meeting.
Before the start of the summit, Xi, together with other participating leaders, attended the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty initiated by Brazil.
Xi calls for building just world of common development, outlines China's actions for global development
Xi calls for building just world of common development, outlines China's actions for global development
