Michael Phelps has redoubled his support for tougher sanctions for doping, including a lifetime ban for anyone who tests positive for a banned substance.
“If you test positive, you’re never allowed to come back and compete, it’s that simple,” Phelps said. “I believe it’s one time and done.”
The World Anti-Doping Agency and World Aquatics have acknowledged that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics. The results were not made public until media reports emerged this year, with both agencies accepting China’s explanation that the positive tests were caused by contaminated food.
Nine of those swimmers won medals – several of them as part of relay teams – in Paris, prompting Team GB star Adam Peaty to say the playing field is not level.
Phelps echoed those sentiments, saying the Chinese swimmers who tested positive should not have competed in Tokyo, Paris or anywhere else.
“If everyone is not tested the same way, I have a serious problem because that means the level of the sport is not fair and it is not equal,” he said. “If you take that risk, you don’t belong here.”
When Phelps was at the peak of his powers, many wondered if he could perform such feats without pharmaceutical support.
“People called me a cheater throughout my career,” he said Monday. “I subjected myself to more tests — blood and urine — every week. Why? Because I could say I don’t cheat and I’m clean and these are the results. I did it the clean way. I won 23 Olympic gold medals the clean way. It can be done.”
Phelps said he suspected some competitors were doping during his five Olympic Games, at which he won a total of 28 medals.
“I don’t think I’ve ever competed on a level playing field or a clean field,” he said. “I have some speculation about athletes that I’ve competed against that I thought were [doping]. But that is beyond my control.”
Since retiring from the sport following the 2016 Olympics, Phelps has become more outspoken on issues including mental health and anti-doping efforts. He recently testified before the U.S. Congress on the latter topic, calling for major reforms to a system that many believe is broken.
“What needs to happen is everyone comes together and figures out a way to test everyone all over the world. Period,” Phelps said. “And if you test positive, you’re never allowed to come back and compete.”
Phelps said he understands the frustration of athletes like Peaty, whose British team finished fourth on Sunday in the men’s 4x100m medley, a race won by the Chinese.
“It breaks my heart to see people work hard for four years to prepare for the Olympics, and then have that taken away from them by someone who cheats,” Phelps said. “That’s not right. I stand for that and I always will stand for that.”
He also had a suggestion for athletes who want to circumvent the rules.
“Go to the cheater games,” he said. “Make the Olympics about integrity.”