Official calls for anti-doping vigilance

A senior sports official reiterated China's zero-tolerance approach toward doping on Tuesday while seeing off the Chinese Paralympic delegation heading to the Paris Paralympic Games, and urged the athletes to earn respect through strength and integrity.

Speaking at a mobilization conference for the Paralympians attending the Games from Aug 28 to Sept 8, Liu Guoyong, a deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China, said anti-doping efforts are crucial for the physical and mental well-being of disabled athletes, the development of para-sports and the national image.

He urged strengthened management of food, drugs and nutritional supplements to prevent incidents of accidental doping, ensuring a zero-tolerance policy and a commitment to a doping-free environment.

"We must be cautious, especially when it comes to the management of food, medicine and nutritional products," he told Team China.

"We have to make sure any accidental consumption incidents are nipped in the bud, and there is no room for slip-ups."

Liu said there will be unique challenges, including disruptions and interference from Western powers at the upcoming Paris Games, and athletes may have to deal with problems beyond their on-field performances and technical preparations.

He encouraged athletes to concentrate on excelling in their competitions, emphasizing the importance of performing to the best of their abilities to earn respect.

Liu made the remarks in response to false doping accusations by foreign media during the Olympic Games that targeted two Chinese swimmers linked to a food contamination accident in 2022.

The rigorous doping tests that the two swimmers underwent during the Games sparked outrage on Chinese social media. They were especially notable when compared to the questionable procedures employed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency on its own athletes, leading to discussions about unfair treatment.

China's 516-member Paralympic delegation was officially formed in Beijing on Friday, ready to compete in 19 sports and 302 events, including archery, athletics, badminton, wheelchair basketball, fencing and tennis.

Cheng Kai, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, who will head the delegation, said at the mobilization conference that Liu's important insights and suggestions based on his involvement in the Paris Games were worth noting and provided valuable education and guidance for Paralympians.

Urging Paralympic athletes and coaches to learn from the example of the Chinese Olympic delegation, he said: "Let's strive to bring glory to our country and achieve outstanding athletic results with integrity."

He also expressed his wish that China can continue its dominance at the Games.

China debuted at the Paralympics in 1984 in New York. At the 2004 Athens Paralympics, China topped both the gold and overall medal count for the first time. In 2021 in Tokyo, Team China continued its success, winning 207 medals, including 96 golds, securing first place in both gold and overall standings for the fifth time in a row.