Following a documentary on German television last month, the world’s media reported on allegations about China’s doping history, prompting an official reaction from WADA. But how much of this is actually new, what will – or can – WADA do about the claims and what does this mean for China’s future sporting ambitions?
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Doping is a sensitive subject that inevitably involves a lot of innuendo and assumption. The following is intended to start a debate by asking some valid questions about China’s doping history, rather than unnecessarily casting aspersions, so please read with that caveat in mind!]
Prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, all the headlines focused on everything that was about to go wrong. From pollution and traffic to protests and censorship, the storylines were exactly what China had been hoping to avoid.
But then everyone was blown away by the extravagant Opening Ceremony and China never looked back. The country’s “coming out party on the world stage” was widely declared a success and China took the top honors with 51 golds – the first time any nation had passed the half century mark since the Soviets won 55 gold medals back in 1988.
But check the record books today and that’s not the total you will find.