Despite the positive tests, the swimmers were cleared to compete after Chinese authorities attributed the results to food contamination. That decision was accepted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Critics argue that the leniency contrasts sharply with the four-year ban imposed on Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who also tested positive for TMZ and claimed contamination from a dessert prepared by her grandfather. The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected Valieva’s explanation, leading to her suspension and the stripping of her medals. Australian swimmer Mack Horton, who has spent years speaking out against doping, questioned the consistency of the enforcement in his sport. Most swimmers have a small window in which they can go for gold at the highest stage, meaning some have been potentially robbed of an opportunity. An investigation by CODE Sports has now found that 25 Australian swimmers including Emma McKeon, Kyle Chalmers, Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown, Mollie O’Callaghan and Zac Stubblety-Cook – were all beaten by rivals from China who had tested positive for the banned heart drug during the three-year cycle from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics to the 2024 Paris Games. “We ask questions and push focus to the nth degree on our own shores,” Horton said. “I don’t know if we draw the line at our border or our nation or if we need to take on more ownership globally, I actually don’t have the answer. “But if we all want this to work better, and we want a better world, which is kind of a big statement, it starts with us and us being better at expecting high standards of others as well.” Zac Stubblety-Cook, Olympic gold medallist in the 200m breaststroke, echoed Horton’s concerns. He pointed to the lack of transparency in the Chinese swimmers’ case, saying it was totally unfair that some athletes had victory taken from underneath them. “It’s frustrating to know that medals, moments, and recognition may have been taken away from clean athletes, and yet here we are a year later with little clarity and no real resolution,” he said. “As athletes, we’re taught that clean sport is non-negotiable, but this situation undermines that principle. It’s frustrating to know that medals, moments, and recognition may have been taken away from clean athletes, and yet here we are a year later with little clarity and no real resolution.” The controversy has also sparked criticism of Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) for not taking a stronger stance. Rob Koehler, Director General of Global Athlete said it was a farce that over two dozen Aussie swimmers had been affected. “It is extremely disappointing that Sport Integrity Australia has remained silent throughout this process when 25 Australian swimmers have been directly impacted due to the lack of due process.” SIA’s newly appointed CEO Sarah Benson defended the agency’s approach. “We advocate strongly for athletes to ensure the system remains trusted and effective now and well into the future,” she said. The United States has been more vocal, with the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) criticising WADA’s acceptance of China’s contamination explanation. USADA’s CEO Travis Tygart has called for greater accountability from the authority, calling for consistent enforcement of anti-doping rules.