The production of distrust in anti-doping: The case of the 23 Chinese swimmers

Trust is considered central to the functioning of the anti-doping system, yet it is undermined by scandals. This article analyses the 23 Chinese swimmers case to understand trust in anti-doping. Using Benford and Snow's ideas in combination with Bourdieu’s framework, we conducted a frame analysis on a corpus of organisational statements ( n = 70) and media articles ( n = 135) discussing the case. We aimed to understand how actors framed themselves, the situation, and others to manage their symbolic capital to obtain trust within the field. The analysis revealed organisations tried to enhance their credibility by leveraging science and law, emphasising their use of ‘evidence’, while critiquing the other sides empirical credibility. Actors also relied on frame articulation, via networks of alignment, positioning themselves in relation to others, affording credit to supporting actors while discrediting opposed or hostile actors. Finally, they managed the resonance of their frames by espousing common values associated with the anti-doping doxa, including championing athletes and independence. These strategies were employed in diametrically opposed ways, creating problems for the future of trust in the anti-doping system, which remains more divided than ever. The restoration of collaboration and cooperation, necessary to maintain trust, seems unlikely based on the current analysis.