Chinese swimmer tests positive for banned substance in Rio Olympics

A Chinese swimmer has been tested positive for a prohibited substance at the ongoing Rio Olympics in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

18-year-old Chen Xinyi tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide on Sunday, the same day when she finished fourth in the women's 100m butterfly final, Sport24 reported while citing the Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

Diuretics can be used as 'masking agents' to hide the presence of performance-enhancing substances that are screened during doping tests.

However, the embattled swimmer has applied to the International Olympic Committee for her B sample to be tested and for a hearing.

Doping has been a hot topic in the prestigious quadrennial event in the wake of the World Anti-Doping Agency's devastating report, which alleged that Russia orchestrated state-sponsored doping cover-up.

 

Around 67 track and field Russian athletes were banned from Rio.