Thomas Bach, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), fully backed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in an exclusive interview from the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on the agency's handling of positive drug tests involving 23 Chinese swimmers. Bach stressed the independence of WADA, despite its funding ties to the IOC. He affirmed that if the Chinese swimmers are cleared, they could compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics, emphasizing procedural adherence as the determining factor for their eligibility. The Paris Games are anticipated to reignite the Olympic spirit, following the pandemic-affected Tokyo edition in 2021. The ambitious opening ceremony planned by French organizers, set to occur on the Seine River, is poised to be iconic and memorable for athletes and spectators alike.

Contextually, the Chinese swimmers tested positive for the heart drug trimetazidine (TMZ), known to enhance performance, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. However, they were not subject to suspension or sanctions as WADA accepted the explanation attributing the results to food contamination at a hotel where they had stayed. This situation has prompted scrutiny and raised concerns about transparency and accountability in anti-doping protocols.