While former world record holder Sun Yang of China missed the chance to represent his nation at the 2024 Olympic Games, he will still be making his post-ban debut this year.
According to Anhui local news site Dawan, 32-year-old Sun is set to race at the National Summer Swimming Championships taking place in Hefei from August 25th – August 28th.
Sources from the Anhui Provincial Sports Bureau revealed to Dawan that they received confirmation from the sports authority about Sun’s participation and the arrival of the high-profile athlete has intensified security measures at the venue. (China Daily)
The hype surrounding the freestyle ace’s return is real, as the tag “Sun Yang‘s Comeback Confirmed in Hefei” reportedly climbed to 9th place on Weibo’s trending list, garnering over 14 million views. (China Daily)
After serving a 4-year doping suspension which lasted until May of this year. We reported in June of last year that Sun returned to training and had no plans to retire.
Entering Paris, Sun still owned the men’s LCM 1500 freestyle world record with the 14:31.02 he produced for gold at the 2012 Olympic Games. However, American Bobby Finke took this down as he topped the podium just weeks ago.
You can review how Sun Yang‘s doping suspension unfolded via our past articles:
- September 2018: Sun challenges authorization of doping control agents during test, ending with a vial of his blood being smashed
- January 2019: an independent anti-doping panel rules in Sun’s favor, leading FINA (the international governing body for swimming) to not issue a sanction against Sun
- March 2019: WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) appeals that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
- November 2019: CAS hears the case in a fully-public hearing marred by translation issues. The full 11-hour hearing is live-streamed online.
- February 2020: The three-person CAS panel rules against Sun, banning him for eight years.
- July 2020: Sun files two appeals with the Swiss Federal Tribunal, hoping to either have his ban overturned or revised.
- December 2020: The Swiss Federal Tribunal overturns the ban, sending the case back to CAS for a second hearing. The decision centers around the first panel’s president, who tweeted racist comments about China on social media.
- May 2021: Yang does not compete at the Chinese National Championships, amid uncertainty of the outcome of his CAS retrial.
- June 2021: CAS retrial results in ruling to reduce Yang’s ban to 4 years and 3 months
- December 2021: Sun Yang Under Investigation for Training at Government-Funded Facilities
bro please just put the fries in the bag its OVER
In all seriousness he hasn’t been serious in the 1500 or even really the 800 since 2015
What is a very real possibility I feel is he can still throw down a 1:44 200, like maybe even a darkhorse gold medal threat in Singapore…
3:36 and 7:29 400 and 800 frees are my predictions. He has had a lot of time to uhhh … put in work.
Hot take: not everyone has to show sportsmanship
He doesn’t have to love his competitors. I think he should be nice, but he can compete how he wants to. Get in their heads, be a hot head, who cares. He’s exciting for the sport and I think swimming can use all the excitement it can get. As an American with no reason to cheer on Sun Yang, I think he’s fun! I think it’s awesome that he’s so respected in China. One of their top celebs. Gotta respect it.
Give dude a break. He certainly isn’t perfect but he’s good for the sport imo!
THE JUICE IS LOOSE!!!
MY GOAT
Surely he is welcomed back with a “random” urine and blood profiling test? After that, all anyone can say is hunting season is officially open. Very interested to see what 4 years in the wilderness without coaching (yeh right, as if!!) has done for his times and technique.
Yesssssssssssssss, he is going to smash Bobby’s record just like the vile🔨🧪