It’s been a couple of years of controversy for Sun Yang since his dominant victories in the 400,800 and 1500m freestyle events at the 2013 World Championships. Since this great feat he has gone on to lose his driving license and serve a criminal sentence while also serving a three month doping suspension.
These scandals have created a dip in performance. The clearest example is Sun not being ranked in the top five of his best event, the 1500m freestyle, in 2015. In fact his best time of the year, 15.00.73, is nearly 30 seconds from his 14.31.02 best set at the 2012 Olympics.
However, his coach, Zhang Yadong, believes that Sun is 90-95% of his peak form from his results in training, according to The New Indian Express. This may be all Sun needs to take certain titles in Kazan with many potential rivals pulling out, most notably Kosuke Hagino and Yannick Agnel.
Sun will be competing in the 200, 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle. Based on past evidence, the 200 may be perceived as his weakest event but nevertheless probably his best gold medal prospect in Kazan. He is currently ranked second in the world with a 1:45.75. He will be looking to repeat his 1:44.9 best from London or even get close to the 1.43 he split anchoring the China relay to bronze in Barcelona.
The distance events, however, will require Sun at his best to take the gold. The rise of Mack Horton and Gregorio Paltrinieri will most likely require Sun to break 14.40 to take the title. Sun has yet to break the 15 minutes barrier this year and therefore may be a stretch to land the gold ahead of the rising Australian and Italian youngsters.
The 400m on the other hand may provide the race of the meet. Whilst Mack Horton has the fastest time in the world this year at 3:42.84, Sun still has a 3:40.14 best and if he we are to believe his coach, 90-95% of his peak performance will deliver Sun the gold medal.
About Sun Yang doping. Please read this.
However, this case is not as clear cut as swimmer takes illegal stimulant, gets caught, gets short ban based on a half-baked excuse from sympathetic national board, carries on as normal.
In Swimming World Magazine’s analysis of the case, they reveal Sun Yang was suffering from chest pains three days before the Chinese Nationals – where he won, and was later stripped of the 1500m freestyle. As mentioned earlier, trimetazidine is used to treat heart conditions, and there is ample evidence – according to CHINADA – that Sun Yang was genuinely ill and had a legitimate medical reason for taking that particular drug.
Taking a banned substance to deal with a… Read more »
If sun is in 100% for rio, I will be scared, that that means we could we see under 1:43 in the 200, under 3:40 In the 400, and under 14:30 in the 1500. The only record sun has no chance of getting is the 800 just because he would have to be so far in front of the record to hold of a 25 second last lap.
RICK MEARS, the only person that can break usain bolts world record is usain bolt himself, that is if he,s in shape and injury free by the time Rio comes along.
Agree, Gatlin isn’t breaking the record, but Bolt isn’t in top form this year so he might beat him.
No second chance for everybody not just athletes.
Why is Justin gatlin still running.
Michael Phelps smoked pot which sets a bad example for kids. I think he deserves no second chance. He also has two DUI,s. USA swimming should ban him.
Sun also had a “driving incident” and something about an inappropriate relationship with the stewardess. No one is hard timing him over those things. It really comes down to him using a loophole in the system to gain an unfair advantage over a long period of time. No one is denying him his right to keep swimming however he shouldn’t be competing with clean athletes and calling it a fair race.
I’m fine with giving them a second chance. You are crazy if you don’t think most of these athletes don’t push up against the edge of doing something to violate the rules. They all take some type of supplements each with dozens of ingredients that most of you “experts” know nothing about.
Non-performance enhancing actions to me are irrelevant. Smoking Pot and getting frisky with a stewardess has nothing to do with how fast they swim.
Get off your high horse, sit back and what the races, and enjoy life.
Sun is a cheat and has a banned Aussie coach on pool deck. If that is what it takes to win, no thank you.
Ok, just because someone may not be the best person, they shouldn’t be shunned for setting a bad example, as they shouldn’t have to be careful about people following them and taking embarrassing pictures. It’s not their fault or choice of somewhat people do.
POL, I agree with you. No second chances for anybody not just athletes. So if you,ve ever made a mistake in your life then no second chance for you. You should be snubbed by everybody or sent to jail.
I think what Carlo means is Justin GATLIN. ☺
He’s the man who’s going to take down Usain Bolt in the mens 100m this year for track and field.
Gatlin probably the biggest cheater of today Track and Field.. with the support of all the one who should enforce the rules.. That guy even received the IAAF athlete of the year award..
Swimming may have problem with doping and enforcing rules, but track and field is far far worse.. Many proven dopers (Either who have positive results or admitted) are still considered as “great athletes, examples, etc.” and they still got their medals and records..
Agree, but Gatlin for the win
A cheater should be banned for the rest of his life. No second chances. Whatever he does in Kazan is already tainted from a fact, that he’s a cheater. Nothing else.
He indeed got doppted, which is a stain for him. But if he win gold medal in Kazan without dopping, he will only be written as gold medalist in the history rather than anything else!
And not to mention his Aussie coach, Brian King, was banned from coaching for the next six months by Swimming Australia for abuse of athletes, not being ethical, considerate, fair and honest in all dealings with other people; refraining from any form of harassment towards others; providing a safe environment for the conduct of activities in accordance with relevant Swimming Australia Policy. The Chinese have no regard for the ban – or it seems either does FINA – which is disgraceful and a middle finger salute to SAL and all Brian King’s victims. With someone like King as his coach who has zero integrity, how can any person be happy watching Sun win?
Just a little reminder, Sun’s personal best in 200 free is a 1:44.47 with breaking the Asia Record on the 12th National Games in September 2013.
From his instagram pictures, he looks quite muscular and jovial Surely this coming meet will be his determination(mentally) to prove his critics wrong and win back his support from his homeground and those who cares.He should be able to win four golds and with better timings in 200M and 400M than Barcelona 2013. A Reborn rising SUN !!!
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