FINA dismisses Sunday Times speculation on Sun Yang case

World swimming governing body FINA released a statement on Tuesday saying it is aware of the report in the Sunday Times and other media outlets regarding Chinese swimmer Sun Yang, but that it will not consider any further speculation on this matter.

It stated: “FINA is aware of the reports in the Sunday Times and other media outlets regarding Chinese swimmer Sun Yang. In accordance with FINA’s Anti-Doping Policy (FINA DC Rules 14.1.5 and 14.3.3) and the decision of the Doping Panel, FINA is not authorised to comment on the case. Moreover, FINA will not consider further speculation and hearsay on this matter.”

Sun, an Olympic champion swimmer, had rejected an out-of-competition doping test at his home in Zhejiang province on September 4, 2018, as doping testers from IDDM, the organisation then authorized by FINA to conduct such tests, had failed to show adequate proof of identification.

A dispute between Sun and the doping control team was later referred to world swimming governing body FINA, who ruled in favor of Sun after a 13-hour hearing on January 3.

The FINA Doping Panel had stated that “as a result, the sample collection session initiated by IDDM on September 4, 2018, is invalid and void,” and added that “Mr. Sun Yang did not commit an anti-doping rule violation under FINA DC 2.3 or FINA DC 2.5”.

In the report entitled “Olympic champion Sun Yang abuses drug testers”, the Sunday Times reported that Sun “faces a lifetime ban after a clash with doping testers ended in him and his security guard using a hammer to smash a sealed vial containing the swimmer’s blood.”

The Chinese Swimming Association (CSA) said on Sunday Sun Yang had no wrongdoings and did not violate anti-doping rules when he took an out-of-competition urine test last September.