Disgraced three-time Olympic champion Sun Yang is eager to return to competitive swimming “as soon as possible” after his more than four-year ban for a doping violation has ended. This ban stemmed from an incident in 2018 when he was accused of smashing vials of his blood during a doping test, an allegation he continues to dispute. Originally handed an eight-year suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2020, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced it to four years and three months in 2021.
China's former Olympic champion swimmer Sun Yang has reiterated his ambition of making a competitive return after his more than four-year ban issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ended on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/F3gNx6Gz8d
— Sports China (@PDChinaSports) May 28, 2024
Now 32 years old, Sun expressed his eagerness to dive back into competition in an interview with state-run media, stating, “I hope that I’ll be able to pick a competition and return to the starting block as soon as possible.”
Sun’s planned comeback occurs amidst heightened scrutiny of China’s swimming program. It was revealed that the World Anti-Doping Agency permitted 23 Chinese swimmers to participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics despite testing positive for a banned substance. WADA accepted the explanation that the athletes had unintentionally ingested the substance through food provided at their hotel.
#BREAKING Swiss court overturns doping ban on Chinese swimmer Sun Yang. #Sunyang pic.twitter.com/1gtzEFozCG
— China Takeaway (@China24Official) December 25, 2020
While Sun’s suspension has ended too late for him to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics, he remains optimistic about his future in the sport, noting that his focus extends beyond just the Olympic Games. “The Olympics are just a competition for me, they will end, and after they end, there will be another one,” he remarked. Currently, Sun is engaging in simulated competition tests to regain his competitive edge.
Sun, who stands at 2 meters tall, achieved historic success as the first Chinese swimmer to win Olympic gold in the 400m and 1500m freestyle events at the 2012 London Games. Despite his achievements, his career has been marred by controversy. He faced accusations of cheating at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and during the 2019 world championships, two competitors refused to share the medal podium with him. Additionally, Sun served a three-month suspension in 2014 after testing positive for another banned substance.
Reflecting on his career and the challenges he has faced, Sun feels fortunate about his achievements and is grateful for the support he has received, stating, “I think compared to other athletes I am very lucky, and I am very grateful and thankful.” The ban was a dark period for him, but he used the time away from swimming to develop personal interests and start a family with gymnast Zhang Doudou, which he says added “some colour” to his life.
As he prepares for his return, Sun Yang remains a figure of both admiration and controversy in the world of competitive swimming.
China’s three-time #Olympic #swimming #champion Sun Yang has decided to return to competitions and continue his swimming career after ending his 51-month ban for refusing to complete a doping test in 2018, The Paper reported on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/EzRCMO1FBd
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) May 28, 2024
Major Points
- Sun Yang, a three-time Olympic champion, is planning a return to competitive swimming following the conclusion of his more than four-year doping ban.
- The ban originated from a 2018 incident where Sun was accused of smashing vials of blood during a doping test, leading to an initial eight-year suspension reduced to four years and three months on appeal.
- Despite missing the opportunity to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics, Sun is focusing on future competitions and has begun simulated competition tests to regain his form.
- His career has been controversial, marked by accusations of cheating and a prior three-month doping suspension in 2014. Despite this, he has won numerous accolades, including 11 world championship golds.
- During his suspension, Sun developed personal interests, started a family with gymnast Zhang Doudou, and expressed gratitude for his experiences and the added “colour” to his life.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
