Top China delegate slams media over Ye dope slur
Source: AFP |
August 13, 2012, Monday
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CHINA'S top Olympic delegate slammed media yesterday for airing "groundless" doping speculation about teenage swimmer Ye Shiwen, after a controversy that cast a shadow over her record-breaking feats.
Chef de mission Liu Peng said doping innuendo had dragged the reputation of Ye, 16, through the mud after she won both the 400-meter and 200-meter individual medleys in one of the Games' break-out performances.
"There are individuals or media that are accusing unfoundedly our Chinese athletes. This is really unfair - it's groundless," Liu said. "These people should recognize reality and respect sportspersons' dignity and reputation."
Media chatter started after Ye's world-record 400 medley win, including a final 50-meter which was faster than US winner Ryan Lochte in the men's race. American coach John Leonard then called the swim "impossible".
But Liu said China had made a "very, very strict effort" after several major scandals in the 1990s, observed World Anti-Doping Authority rules and had passed its own law against drugs in sport.
"Prejudice and guessing and rumors blamed our athletes. The media, they should blame themselves because they should be objective and recognize the facts, and respect the reputation of athletes," he said.
The doping suggestions raised hackles in China, where the People's Daily accused Western media of "arrogance and prejudice against Chinese athletes".
Ye, when tackled on the subject, has flatly denied doping. And her teammate Sun Yang - who won the men's 400 freestyle and claimed the 1,500 in world-record time - angrily leapt to her defense.
"People think China has so many gold medals because of doping and other substances, but I can tell you it is because of hard work," he said.
Lochte called Ye's 400 swim "pretty impressive", while Australia's Stephanie Rice, the 2008 champion, said it was "insane". American Michael Phelps, who has 22 Olympic medals, said nobody should jump to conclusions.
"It's kind of sad that people have a great swim and that's the first thing they say," Phelps told CNN. "People who work hard - it shows. There are people who just jump to that conclusion sometimes, and it's not right."
The row intruded on China's celebrations at its best-ever swimming performance, with five gold medals. Overall, China finished second behind the United States on the medals table, failing to repeat after it was top in 2008.
Chef de mission Liu Peng said doping innuendo had dragged the reputation of Ye, 16, through the mud after she won both the 400-meter and 200-meter individual medleys in one of the Games' break-out performances.
"There are individuals or media that are accusing unfoundedly our Chinese athletes. This is really unfair - it's groundless," Liu said. "These people should recognize reality and respect sportspersons' dignity and reputation."
Media chatter started after Ye's world-record 400 medley win, including a final 50-meter which was faster than US winner Ryan Lochte in the men's race. American coach John Leonard then called the swim "impossible".
But Liu said China had made a "very, very strict effort" after several major scandals in the 1990s, observed World Anti-Doping Authority rules and had passed its own law against drugs in sport.
"Prejudice and guessing and rumors blamed our athletes. The media, they should blame themselves because they should be objective and recognize the facts, and respect the reputation of athletes," he said.
The doping suggestions raised hackles in China, where the People's Daily accused Western media of "arrogance and prejudice against Chinese athletes".
Ye, when tackled on the subject, has flatly denied doping. And her teammate Sun Yang - who won the men's 400 freestyle and claimed the 1,500 in world-record time - angrily leapt to her defense.
"People think China has so many gold medals because of doping and other substances, but I can tell you it is because of hard work," he said.
Lochte called Ye's 400 swim "pretty impressive", while Australia's Stephanie Rice, the 2008 champion, said it was "insane". American Michael Phelps, who has 22 Olympic medals, said nobody should jump to conclusions.
"It's kind of sad that people have a great swim and that's the first thing they say," Phelps told CNN. "People who work hard - it shows. There are people who just jump to that conclusion sometimes, and it's not right."
The row intruded on China's celebrations at its best-ever swimming performance, with five gold medals. Overall, China finished second behind the United States on the medals table, failing to repeat after it was top in 2008.
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