Chinese Swimming Association Publishes Paris Qualification Criteria, Ruling out Sun Yang Return

Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

Chinese Swimming Association Publishes Paris Qualification Criteria, Ruling out Sun Yang Return

The Chinese Swimming Association on Friday announced its selection criteria for the Paris Olympics, announcing its trials meet for April. That prevents a return for Sun Yang, who isn’t eligible to return from his doping suspension until May.

China will base its selection for the Olympics on results at the two most recent World Championships, in Fukuoka last summer and at the 2024 Doha Worlds. There will also be a nationals meet held in Shenzhen in April as a final trials in the hybrid process.

Due to his suspension, Sun will not be present at any of those meets, effectively ending his slim chances of qualifying for a fourth Olympics. The criteria also lists a provision disqualifying for selection any athlete suspended by more than one year for doping, per NBC Sports’ reporting.

Sun was suspended for eight years by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2020 for an incident in which he smashed vials of blood during a 2018 doping test. His suspension was reduced upon appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sun fought unsuccessfully to be reinstated ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, and he’s publicly said he’s interested in returning for Paris, but his route to qualification appears closed.

The six-time Olympic medalist won gold in the 400 free and 1,500 free plus silver in the 200 free at the London Olympics in 2012. He won the 200 free gold and 400 free silver in Rio in 2016. Sun is an 11-time world champion.

China has no shortage of star power in Sun’s absence. China was third on the medal table in gold medals (five) and total medals (16) in Fukuoka. Qin Haiyang is the holder of all three men’s breaststroke titles. Zhang Yufei is a multi-event medal contender in the sprints, while Xu Jiayu is an experienced campaigner and young stars like Pan Zhanle and Li Bingjie are rising to prominence.

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