WATCH: Michael Phelps on 'demoralizing' reality of competing with unfair anti-doping rules

It was "disheartening and demoralizing" to watch athletes achieve success while on banned substances, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps told members of Congress Tuesday.

Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, appeared before a House committee about the World Anti-Doping Agency and on issues with the anti-doping system.

In 2021, around two dozen Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned drug found in heart medication. The WADA said they were allowed to compete and five of those swimmers won medals at the Tokyo Olympics.

“Sitting here once again, it is clear to me that any attempts of reform at WADA have fallen short, and there are still deeply rooted, systemic problems that prove detrimental to the integrity of international sports and athletes' right to fair competition, time and time again,” Phelps said.

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