German swimmers reacted with anger and incomprehension to the news that 23 Chinese swimmers failed doping tests ahead of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, where several of them competed after all were cleared.
"That's of course a complete breach of trust. I find it completely incomprehensible why no action has been taken," 50 metres breaststroke German record holder Malvin Imoudu said on Tuesday in a news conference ahead of the April 25-28 national championships in Berlin.
"We're always told: Watch what you eat. Always make sure there's nothing in there - because even if it's not your fault, you'll be banned and an investigation will be carried out.
"As long as there is no clarification, these athletes should be banned, as harsh as that sounds," Imoudu added.
German broadcasters ARD, the New York Times and Australian paper Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that the swimmers tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) at a domestic competition in Shijiazhuang in early 2021.
Chinese officials said the 23 swimmers tested positive due to contamination and reported the case to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the swimming governing body World Aquatics (then FINA).
WADA confirmed the positive tests, but like FINA said it found no credible evidence of misconduct in its own review. WADA reiterated its stance at an emergency news conference on Monday after wide-ranging outrage over the weekend.
A 30-strong Chinese team, including 13 of the 23 with positive tests according to the reports, went on to win six medals in Tokyo, including three gold medals.
"Of course it sucks for the sport, to put it bluntly. There's no question about it - especially as it's not the first time there have been such accusations or allegations against China," 100-metres freestyle German record holder Josha Salchow said.