China determined to achieve clean Asiad through zero tolerance of doping approach: official

HANGZHOU, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- China has implemented detailed anti-doping plans made in advance to ensure clean sport at the Hangzhou Asian Games, a Chinese delegation official said on Friday.

"As of Thursday, 249 Chinese athletes have been tested, with no doping cases reported so far," said Li Yingchuan, deputy head of Chinese delegation.

China started doping tests on athletes preparing for the Asiad in January 2022, with athletes required to take anti-doping courses and examinations before the Games. "Anti-doping education is a compulsory course for Chinese athletes," said Li.

Prior to the Games, the delegation issued a list of permitted nutritional products and therapeutic drugs for athletes.

Li added, "When the athletes arrived at the Asian Games village, their carry-on luggage was checked according to the list. Anti-doping management is an important mission throughout the event."

In late September, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) executive committee meeting and the third CHINADA International Anti-Doping Symposium were held in Shanghai and Hangzhou respectively, during which WADA president Witold Banka praised China's anti-doping education and expressed hopes for further cooperation.

"As an anti-doping global regulator, WADA will be running an independent observer program to oversee anti-doping testing activities during the Asian Games, and we will have a report after the Games," Banka said.

"China firmly supports anti-doping projects, while the country's anti-doping progress has been highly recognized by international organizations including the WADA, the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)," Li noted.

"China's 'zero tolerance' on doping and 'zero appearance' of doping problems represent a major contribution for the global anti-doping cause."