TORONTO - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was in full damage control mode on Monday, firing back at criticism over its handling of 23 positive tests from Chinese swimmers that the head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) called a potential cover-up.

WADA confirmed a New York Times report on Saturday that Chinese swimmers had tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), which is found in heart medication, months before the COVID-delayed Tokyo Olympics began in July 2021. The findings sparked outrage across the sport and among anti-doping crusaders.