Sun Yang, the most decorated swimmer in China, has triumphantly returned to swimming after serving a drug ban

China’s most decorated swimmer has returned to the pool with a successful performance after serving a controversial four-year drugs suspension.

At the National Summer Swimming Championships in Hefei, China’s most decorated swimmer, Sun Yang, triumphantly returned to competitive swimming on Sunday, winning the gold medal in the men’s 400m freestyle. He has now won his first significant competition since serving a controversial four-year suspension in 2018 for refusing to provide samples during an anti-doping test.

Following his victory, the 32-year-old swimmer, who was previously denounced as a drug fraudster in China, was accorded widespread acclaim by state media. Throughout his suspension, Sun expressed his gratitude to his family for their unwavering support in a tearful interview. “This is primarily due to the reliance and support of my family—that is what has sustained me to this day,” he stated to the South China Morning Post.

Sun’s 2020 suspension was imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as a result of his refusal to cooperate with anti-doping officials.

For an out-of-competition test, anti-doping officials visited his residence in 2018.

The testers, according to Sun and his team, were declined cooperation due to their absence of appropriate accreditation.

As per the testing team, a member of Sun’s retinue used a hammer to smash a vial of his blood in order to prevent them from relocating with the sample.

The regulatory body of swimming, Fina, initially cleared Sun, who had been suspended for three months in 2014 for using the banned substance Trimetazidine (TMZ). Sun denied any wrongdoing. Subsequently, the decision was reversed by CAS, which resulted in an eight-year suspension. This ban was eventually reduced to four years and three months by appeal. As he had never technically tested positive for any prohibited substances, Sun was permitted to retain all of his medals.

Sun, despite his extended absence from competitive swimming, is resolute in his pursuit of a return to the international stage. He has specifically targeted the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Nevertheless, substantial obstacles await. Sun’s eligibility to continue representing China on an international level is uncertain due to China’s anti-doping regulations, which prohibit athletes who have been barred for more than a year from being considered for national team selection. Additionally, his victory on Sunday was nearly nine seconds slower than his personal best from the 2012 London Olympics, despite his dominance.

“I had the potential to perform better.” He stated to the state-run outlet China Daily, “I do feel rusty in controlling the tempo, and I need more competitions, due to the four years since my last competition and the lack of intensive training.” However, he expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “It is a positive beginning to my comeback.”

Following a succession of doping allegations at the Paris Olympics, Sun’s return has been met with increased scrutiny of Chinese swimmers. Chinese state media and officials have accused Western powers of employing doping testing as a means to disrupt their athletes, which has only served to escalate tensions within the international sports community.

The victory of Sun Yang on Sunday is a personal triumph and a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity as he begins his comeback journey. On the world stage, it remains to be seen whether he can reclaim his former grandeur.