Tested Over 150 Times, Katie Ledecky Voices Concerns for Fellow Swimmers Post-Chinese Doping Scandal: ‘They Deserve Better’

The competitive realm of swimming is reeling from a scandal that threatens to overshadow the sport’s integrity. And as time draws nearer to the countdown of the Paris Olympics, Katie Ledecky has stepped forward to voice her concerns. Ledecky has emerged as a critic of the WADA in the wake of the shocking doping scandal involving top Chinese swimmers. 

In the beginning of 2024, a shocking controversy unveiled the news of 23 Chinese athletes testing positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics. But unfortunately, the athletes were inexplicably cleared to compete. And out of them four went on to even secure a podium place finish, shaking the foundation of the sport. Ledecky, advocating for fair play, has expressed deep disappointment and disillusionment. 

Katie Ledecky and coach Greg Meehan condemn WADA’s handling of Chinese doping scandal

Voicing her thoughts by criticizing WADA, Katie Ledecky added how “clean play” should be the priority before the Olympics. In January 2021, several Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance, TMZ (Trimetazidine). They competed in the 2021 Summer Olympics seven months after testing positive for TMZ and it all came to the forefront three years later. And what’s even more alarming is that WADA has considered keeping this case closed and several athletes from among the 23 secured a ticket for the Paris Olympics.

Besides Ledecky, several other athletes, and sports personalities have voiced their opinions against the doping scandal. Katie Ledecky’s coach from Stanford also shared his thoughts on the same. Swimming coach Greg Meehan who has mentored Ledecky before the Tokyo Olympics vilified the situation.

Speaking against the “complete lack of transparency” from WADA’s end, Coach Greg pointed out how the time during the COVID-19 pandemic was sensitive and resulted in such situations. Meehan also added, “Most elite athletes will have one Olympic cycle in their primes, two if they are lucky. They deserve better.”

Ledecky takes a stand to uphold the integrity and accountability of Olympic sport 

Katie Ledecky continued to share her bold opinion on the USADA vs WADA controversy. Ledecky, who has always been known for her dominance in the pool, has never shied away from supporting integrity in the sport. Katie shared how just within USADA she has been “tested 150 times”; despite the same, she supports USADA’s strict testing policies. Because Ledecky believes there must be complete transparency and “consequences for doping”.

Ledecky also shared how she helps the better functioning of USADA in her recently published book ‘Just Add Water: My Swimming Life’. She said, “To comply, I provide my daily schedule to USADA so I can be found at any time for spur-of-the-moment samplings of both blood and urine.” With the Paris Olympics approaching and the sports community being shaken by the doping scandal, the voices of Ledecky and her coach advocating for stricter accountability rings louder than ever.