The Chinese swimming Association has confirmed Olympic swimmer Chen Xinyi has failed a doping test at the Rio Games.
Chen, who has already competed in the women’s 100-metre butterfly, finishing just outside of the medals in fourth, was due to swim in the heats of the 50m freestyle on Friday morning (AEST).
She tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic banned due its ability to mask performance-enhancing drugs.
It’s believed the 18-year-old tried to take the case to CAS in an attempt to avoid suspension after the Chinese swimming association was informed of the matter on Wednesday (AEST).
According to the Xinhua news agency, the Chinese association Chen has supplied her “B” sample for further testing and requested an evidentiary hearing.
Reports indicate that the failed test was taken prior to Chen’s arrival in Rio and she competed in the butterfly without being aware she had returned an alleged positive result.
FINA spokespeople have so far declined to comment on the situation.
The news comes hot on the heels of Chinese swimmers being placed under the global spotlight by Australia’s Mack Horton, who labelled Sun Yang a “drug cheat” on the opening day of competition.
It follows a controversial lead-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Russia’s entire athletics team and Paralympic team have been banned for their involvement in systematic, state-wide doping for the past five years.
Doping has become one of the hottest issues surrounding the Games, with voices coming out in support of legalising doping, but with athletes largely making a stand against it.
It is one of the first times in an Olympic Games where athletes competing have taken a vocal and active stand against other competitors involved in the Olympics, at times in their own team. Famously, Lilly King, the American gold medallist, took aim at USA teammate Justin Gatlin for his chequered history with doping.
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