Edited by Li Zedong
On December 22, the Chinese Swimming Association officially released the "2024 Paris Olympic Games Swimming Selection Measures", which clearly pointed out that athletes who have been banned for more than 1 year due to doping violations are not eligible for the Paris Olympics, and the time of the domestic trials of the Paris Olympics is just before the deadline for Sun Yang's ban to be lifted, which means that if there are no special circumstances, the 32-year-old Sun Yang will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympics.
Image source: Visual China VCG31430582861
Previously, Sun Yang was eventually banned for four years and three months for violating anti-doping rules, which will last until the end of May 2024.
The Swiss Federal Supreme Court on March 4, 2022, rejected Chinese swimmer Sun Yang's appeal against the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), upholding the latter's previous ban on Sun Yang until the end of May 2024, Xinhua News Agency previously reported.
Sun Yang's doping anti-prosecution case from beginning to end
Sun Yang (second from left) at a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on November 15, 2019. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Alan Groklord)
The "2024 Paris Olympic Games Swimming Event Selection Measures" officially released by the Chinese Swimming Association clearly states: "Athletes and related support personnel involved in doping violations, in accordance with the requirements of the anti-doping management regulations of the General Administration of Sports of China, athletes and auxiliary personnel who have been banned for more than 1 year (excluding 1 year) due to doping violations shall not be selected for the national team in any capacity and are not eligible for selection." According to this rule, Sun Yang lost the qualification to be selected for the national swimming team and participate in the Paris Olympics.
In addition, the selection method also clearly mentions that the results of the 2024 National Swimming Championships are the results of the trials, and next year's national championships are scheduled to be held in Shenzhen from April 19 to 27, ending just three days before the date of Sun Yang's lifting of the ban (April 30).
According to Red Star News, according to past experience and practice, the annual National Swimming Championships are the trials of the World Championships that year, either the Olympic Games, the World Championships, and sometimes the domestic qualifiers for the Asian Games, which are held from the end of March to the beginning of May. For example, the 2023 Championship and Asian Games Trials will only start in early May. Judging from the timeline, it seems that Sun Yang still has the possibility of participating in the upcoming Paris Olympics. However, as soon as this selection method came out, this competition period was equivalent to cutting off Sun Yang's path to Olympic qualification through domestic trials.
As far as Sun Yang is concerned, he will not announce his retirement for the time being. In an interview a few months ago, Sun Yang revealed to the outside world that he has not given up training, has been conducting comprehensive training on his own, and has maintained a good competitive condition, but these training results cannot be tested. Even if he can't compete in the Paris Olympics, Sun Yang is still likely to participate in the National Championships, National Championships, National Games or Asian Games.
Daily Economic News Comprehensive Xinhua News Agency, Red Star News, Xinhua Sports
National Business Daily