In the wake of a Chinese doping scandal, Michael Phelps doubled down on his support for tougher sanctions — including a lifetime ban for anyone who tests positive.

In the wake of a Chinese doping scandal, Michael Phelps doubled down Monday on his support for tougher sanctions — including a lifetime ban for anyone who tests positive for a banned substance.

“If you test positive, you should never be allowed to come back and compete again, cut and dry,” Phelps said. “I believe one and done.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency and World Aquatics have acknowledged that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The results were not made public until media reports surfaced this year, with both bodies accepting the Chinese explanation that the positive tests were caused by tainted food.

Nine of those swimmers won medals - several as part of relay teams - n Paris, leading British star Adam Peaty to gripe that the playing field was not even.

    • Flying Squid
      -6•5 months ago

      I’ll just keep pasting this…

      In February 2009, a photograph of Phelps using a bong went viral; this resulted in the loss of Kellogg’s as a sponsor, as well as a three-month suspension by USA Swimming. Phelps admitted that the photo, which was taken at a party at the University of South Carolina, was authentic. He publicly apologized, calling his behavior “inappropriate”.[286]

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Phelps#Legal_issues

      USA Swimming selects American Olympic athletes.

      • @cowfodder
        3•5 months ago

        And it’ll keep being irrelevant.

        • Flying Squid
          -2•5 months ago

          It was a banned substance, he used it and got suspended. How is it irrelevant?

            • @[email protected]English
              1•5 months ago

              It is. It calms you down, improving performance in sports like darts, shooting, etc…

              That’s why it’s on the ban list.