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SCMP Sport

China’s three-time Olympic gold medallist swimmer Sun Yang said he would not be defeated by “difficulties” as he bides his time during a four-year doping suspension – and plots a sensational comeback at the 2024 Paris Games.
Sun, the first male swimmer in history to earn Olympic and World Championship gold medals at every freestyle distance from 200 to 1,500 metres, was initially suspended for eight years in 2021 after a positive doping test.
The 31-year-old’s suspension was later reduced to four years after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2021, which ruled him out of the Tokyo Olympics.
He would be free to compete again in May, though he will certainly miss out on next month’s Asian Games in his hometown of Hangzhou.
“Every stage of life we experience different difficulties and setbacks, and now I have completely let go,” Sun said in an interview with Chinese social media platform Weibo, when asked about his ban.

“It depends how you stand up from difficulties and setbacks. Athletes are most afraid of falling apart, which will lead to a decline in mentality and state. I always tell myself that I must maintain a healthy body and state.
“No matter what industry I will be in the future, I can continue to contribute to the training of coaches and clubs.”
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Sun also paid tribute and expressed gratitude to his wife, the Chinese gymnast Zhang Doudou, for standing by him during his suspension.
“She has also gone through more than 20 years of training, and the journey has been very hard,” he said.
“I said I would persist, and she also supported me without hesitation – she was very sure, without hesitation.”

The 11-time world champion Sun owns the men’s 1,500-metre freestyle world record with the 14 minutes 31.02 seconds he swam at the 2012 London Olympics.
He also won 400m free gold in London, a silver in the 200m free, and bronze with the China men’s 4x200m free relay team.
Sun then won 200m gold at the Rio Games four years later and silver in the 400m free behind his great rival, the outspoken Australian Mack Horton, who refused to stand on the podium with him at the 2019 World Championships as doping allegations swirled around the Chinese swimmer.
Some fans turned on him in the wake of his suspension, and apologised to Horton, but Sun’s Weibo interview showed he still has plenty of supporters.
“Sun Yang will not be knocked down by difficulties. I hope that I can watch your games again in the future!” one fan wrote in the comments of the Weibo video.
“It’s not easy for Sun Yang. I have always admired his tenacity and stubbornness,” said another.

Other fans said they were “looking forward” to Sun’s return – and it seems they could still get their wish, with Sun refusing to close the door on a bid to swim in Paris – despite the fact he would be 32.
“I have not retired and still insist on swimming training every day,” Sun recently told Asian media.
“I have never said to the outside world I am retired or not swimming. I have always believed using my body and ability to do what I have to do, and to always be ready is my current state of mind. The most important thing about a person’s talent is to play well and make good use of it.
“When I learned the result [of his reduced suspension], I was with the team, and I said I wanted everyone to continue to support me, four years is not long, I want to stick with it.
“If a person can’t even do self-discipline, then he can’t succeed, which is the hardest thing in life, and it’s the same in life.” I was able to do it.
“In the long run, I am not old, and I still have the physical ability, and I can last a few more years. A lot of athletes are role models for me, tennis players and NBA players, like [LeBron] James is 38 years old, right, and he can still play very well.”


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Swimming

Chinese swim legend Sun Yang says ‘difficulties’ during 4-year doping ban will not deter him from Paris Olympics comeback

China’s Sun Yang is the most decorated Chinese swimmer in history. Photo: AFP

China’s three-time Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang is serving a four-year doping ban. Photo: dpa

Chinese swimmer Sun Yang (right) with his wife, the gymnast Zhang Doudou. Photo: Weibo/Sun Yang

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Sport

China

Three-time Olympic gold medallist will be free to compete again in May, and insists he has been staying ready as he plots return at 32
‘It depends how you stand up from difficulties and setbacks. I always tell myself that I must maintain a healthy body and state,’ he says


Chinese swimming legend will be free to compete again in May, and insists he has been staying ready as he plots return at 32.


Sun Yang

Paris 2024 Olympic Games