Chinese swimmers top anti-doping tests as World Championships begin in Singapore

The Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) has published testing statistics for all athletes participating in the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025. Since January 1, a total of 4,018 anti-doping tests have been conducted on athletes competing in the event, averaging two tests per athlete.

Chinese swimmers were tested the most, with an average of 8.8 tests per athlete. In comparison, U.S. swimmers were tested 4.1 times on average, while British swimmers were tested 2.2 times. Swimmers competing as neutrals (primarily Russian nationals) were tested an average of 8.2 times.

China’s swimming team has faced heightened scrutiny following revelations in April that 23 swimmers tested positive for a banned heart medication in 2021, but were allowed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted the findings of a Chinese investigation that blamed contamination from a hotel kitchen. An independent review later backed WADA’s handling of the case.

The AQIU stated that the testing programme will continue throughout the championship (11 July – 3 August), with 830 samples expected to be collected during the 24-day competition.

China’s male freestyle sprinter Wang Haoyu has been tested 13 times, while 200m breaststroke world record holder Qin Haiyang has been tested 12 times, according to the report.

The full report is available here.

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