As the Olympic swimming events kick off in Paris, questions about fairness and doping continue to swirl around the competition, with a focus on China's team.
With 10,500 athletes competing across 32 sports, the issue of doping remains a big challenge for organisers and anti-doping authorities alike.
For New Zealand athletes with concerns, Sport Integrity Commission chief executive Rebecca Rolls said the message was clear.
"The education that New Zealand's been delivering for years now has been some of the best in the world, so we're really confident that the Kiwi athletes have been educated, and should be in a good position."
She said: "If athletes do have concerns, we have a speak-up programme that ... provides an avenue where athletes can submit information and we can follow it up."
Revelations that 23 of China's swimmers who competed three years ago tested positive for trimetazidine or TMZ — a banned heart medication with performance-enhancing effects — caused controversy at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted China's explanation that the positive tests resulted from kitchen contamination at the team's hotel.
However, critics argue the agency's handling of the situation lacked transparency.
Despite the concerns, 11 of the 23 swimmers involved in the TMZ incident are set to compete in Paris. In an attempt to address suspicions, China's swimmers will be subjected to twice as many tests as other athletes during the games.
Former WADA director-general and New Zealander David Howman expressed concerns about the organisation's response, suggesting it doesn't pass the sniff test.
"If it doesn't answer the smell test then those responsible for looking at it ought to put on the table, all the documents they have to show that it does satisfy the smell test.
"At the moment, we have not seen any of the documentation that backs up what occurred in 2021 and that would just be helpful," he told 1News.
As the Paris Olympics unfold, the swimming competition will be closely watched not only for athletic performances but also for any signs of unfair advantages.
The issue has beeing gaining international attention, with American swimming legends Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt testifying before the US Congress last month.
Phelps emphasised the need for a level playing field, saying: "I want to be able to stand up at the block, next to a competitor, and say 'OK, this is me versus you'.
"Not, 'me versus you and seven other drugs'."
While the focus has been on China, Howman warned against jumping to conclusions
Howman said: "The majority of them are fantastic athletes, representing themselves and their appearance in their country with pride and wanting to do their best.
"There are only a few rotten apples in every barrel and they're the ones that mess it up."
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