Sun Yang’s Ban Reduced To Four Years & 3 Months, Still Out Of Tokyo Olympics

Chinese superstar and reigning 200m free Olympic gold medalist Sun Yang will officially not be competing at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. He has been handed a new ban that will last for 4 years and 3 months and run through May of 2024 – prior to the Paris 2024 Games.

Sun Yang‘s new ban is backdated to February 2020, which means he could compete in Paris 2024 at the age of 32. He also can potentially appeal this latest decision to the Swiss Tribunal again. However, as it was conducted behind closed doors it would be difficult to assess the grounds upon which such an appeal would be made.

CAS‘ decision included the following in terms of specific violations by Sun Yang:

The new Panel found to its comfortable satisfaction that Sun Yang committed the following ADRVs (anti-doping rule violation) when an unsuccessful attempt was made to collect blood and urine samples from him at his residence on 4-5 September 2018:
• Article 2.3 of the 2021 FINA Doping Code (2021 FINA DC) (“Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection by an Athlete”).
• Article 2.5 of the 2021 FINA DC (“Tampering or Alleged Tampering with any Part of Doping Control by an Athlete or Other Person”).

You can read the entire CAS decision here

In February 2020, the 29-year-old freestyle ace had been handed an eight-year ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for having broken anti-doping protocol. The ruling was made following an out-of-competition doping control test at which Sun destroyed samples, arguing that those who were testing him were improperly certified.

However, Sun appealed to the Swiss Tribunal, which ultimately overturned this previous suspension handed down by a different panel of arbitrators. The Swiss Federal Court confirmed at the time that racist comments made towards China by the chairman of the three-member panel responsible for the original ban were the source of the overturning.

FINA has also issued a statement upon hearing the CAS decision as follows:

FINA acknowledges the decision rendered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the case WADA v. Sun Yang and FINA. FINA confirms that Mr Sun Yang (CHN) has been sanctioned for 4 years and 3 months, effective as from February 28, 2020. FINA will enforce the CAS Award according to its terms, and in accordance with its obligations as a Signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code.

FINA remains committed to the protection of all clean aquatics athletes worldwide and will carefully consider the 90-page award.

Here’s a summarized timeline of events in the case:

 

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Billabong
2 years ago

Duncan Scott must be laughing his ass off

Eisenheim
2 years ago

This is terrible news. As hard as it is for some of you to accept, Sun Yang is so good for our sport.

Tea rex
2 years ago

So this means he doesn’t have to give back his 2019 medals?

Tea rex
2 years ago

To paraphrase:
“You’re a loser! We’re all winners “

Casas 100 back gold in Fukuoka
2 years ago

Fun fact: It will be the first time since 2011 that the men’s 400 free champion at the major summer meet is not named Sun or Horton.

Oceanian
2 years ago

Hopefully the sun has finally set on this ugly saga.

Old Man Chalmers
Reply to  Oceanian
2 years ago

how strong is his case at this point? this is like the 3rd appeal to win in this case.

Dembo
2 years ago

Praise the lord

Chris
2 years ago

Let’s hope his 1500fr WR gets broken in Tokyo.

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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