Quick Hit:

The House select committee on China has requested the Justice Department and F.B.I. to investigate allegations of doping cover-ups by Chinese authorities involving their Olympic swim team, citing a law that allows prosecution of international doping offenses.

Key Details:

• The bipartisan request seeks an inquiry into alleged doping cover-ups by Chinese authorities involving nearly half the swim team from the Tokyo Olympics.
• The 2020 law enables the U.S. Justice Department to prosecute international doping offenses.
• The letter from the House committee may increase scrutiny on China's athletic programs and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Diving Deeper:

The House select committee on China has formally requested that the Justice Department and the F.B.I. investigate reports of a significant doping cover-up by Chinese authorities, involving nearly half of the swimmers sent to the Tokyo Olympic Games. This bipartisan request, outlined in a letter sent late Tuesday, leverages a 2020 law designed to address international doping scandals, similar to the high-profile case involving Russia.

The law empowers the Justice Department to criminally prosecute those who facilitate doping in international competitions, regardless of where the offenses take place. Representatives John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) emphasized the gravity of the situation in their letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and F.B.I. Director Christopher A. Wray. They underscored the potential for this scandal to reflect a broader state-sponsored strategy by China, akin to Russia's previous actions.

The New York Times recently reported that 23 elite Chinese swimmers tested positive for a potent performance-enhancing drug before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Despite this, Chinese officials allegedly cleared these athletes of wrongdoing, and WADA chose not to impose any sanctions. These swimmers subsequently won medals in five events, including three gold, and are considered top contenders for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

The committee's letter comes just two months before the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, potentially increasing political pressure on U.S. authorities to take action. The Times also noted that the F.B.I. has been investigating these doping allegations for the past year, with federal agents actively seeking more information.

China has maintained that the positive test results were due to contaminated food, a claim met with skepticism by some experts. In response to these allegations, WADA recently held a meeting to defend its actions, with its president criticizing American athletes for their lack of compliance with the agency's code.

The bipartisan nature of the House committee's request highlights the growing consensus in Washington regarding the threats posed by China. American athletes and coaches have expressed specific concerns about a pattern of doping among Chinese athletes.

In a separate letter to the International Olympic Committee, the House committee called for an independent investigation into the handling of the positive tests. They stressed that the I.O.C.'s response would significantly impact the integrity of this summer's Olympic Games and their commitment to fair play.