China‘s most decorated swimmer, Sun Yang, returned to competitive swimming on Sunday, winning gold in the men’s 400m freestyle at the National Summer Swimming Championships in Hefei.
This victory marks his first major competition since completing a controversial four-year ban for refusing to provide samples during an anti-doping test in 2018.
At 32, Sun Yang, once labeled a drug cheat, now receives widespread praise from state media for his win. In an emotional interview, he expressed deep gratitude to his family for their unwavering support during his suspension. “Their reliance and support kept me going until today,” he told the South China Morning Post.
The Ban and Its Aftermath
Sun’s ban, imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2020, followed his refusal to cooperate with anti-doping officials during a 2018 out-of-competition test. Sun and his team claimed the testers lacked proper accreditation, leading to a confrontation where a member of his entourage reportedly smashed a vial of his blood to prevent its collection.
Previously, Sun faced a three-month suspension in 2014 for using the banned substance Trimetazidine (TMZ). Although initially cleared by swimming’s governing body FINA, CAS later overturned this decision, imposing an eight-year ban that was eventually reduced to four years and three months on appeal. Since Sun never tested positive for banned substances, he retained all his medals.
Challenges Ahead
Despite his extended absence from the sport, Sun remains determined to compete internationally, with his sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, significant challenges lie ahead. China’s anti-doping regulations prevent athletes banned for over a year from national team selection, casting doubt on their ability to compete internationally. Additionally, his winning time on Sunday was nearly nine seconds slower than his personal best from the 2012 London Olympics.
BEIJING, CHINA – JANUARY 18: Sun Yang of China celebrates winning the gold medal after competing in the Men’s 200m Freestyle Final during the day one of FINA Champions Swim Series 2020-Beijing at Ying Tung Swimming Hall of National Olympic Sports Center on January 18, 2020 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
“I could have done better. Four years away from competition and without intensive training have left me rusty in controlling the tempo, and I need more competitions,” he admitted to China Daily. “But it’s a good start for my comeback, and I’m happy with this result,” he added.
Sun Yang’s return comes amid increased scrutiny of Chinese swimmers following a series of doping allegations during the Paris Olympics. Chinese state media and officials accuse Western powers of using doping tests to undermine their athletes, escalating tensions in the international sports community.
As Sun Yang embarks on his comeback journey, his victory on Sunday symbolizes his resilience and determination. However, whether he can reclaim his former glory on the global stage remains uncertain.
The King is back!
AdvertisementSun Yang won the 400m freestyle event at China’s 2024 National Summer Swimming Championships!
Look how much older he is then the rest of the swimmers.
Hope he smashes more world records ♥️🙏 https://t.co/UZ3EcGQ8im pic.twitter.com/N8UePMTNee
Advertisement— Theodora Fletcher (@TheoFletcher01) August 25, 2024
