As China’s doping controversy in swimming arose, China’s renowned swimming star Zhang Yufei, 26, decided to speak on the topic.
Zhang won the bronze medal in the women’s 200m butterfly final at the 2024 Paris Olympics at the La Défense swimming pool in Paris, France. Her record was 2 minutes 5.09 seconds.
She is one of China’s famous swimming stars. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she won two gold medals in the 200m butterfly and the 800m freestyle relay. She also earned silver medals in the 100m butterfly and the mixed 800m medley relay.
Last year, Zhang won six gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games and was named MVP. At this year’s Paris Olympics, she gained three more bronze medals. The events were 100m and 200m butterfly and the 400m freestyle relay.
Recently, Zhang addressed the negative perceptions of Chinese swimming through an interview. She stated, “We are innocent. All processes have been revealed by the International Swimming Federation,” arguing against doping allegations.
She continued, “Why should Chinese athletes be questioned when they have good results? We undergo doping tests just as diligently as other athletes. When Michael Phelps won eight gold medals, and nobody suspected him. Why aren’t other talented athletes also having doping controversies?”
Before the Paris Olympics, multiple media outlets collectively revealed that “23 Chinese athletes tested positive for doping seven months before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, yet they participated in the Olympics without consequences.” Zhang was one of the 23 athletes who tested positive.
The controversy continued in Paris. On the 28th of last month, Germany’s Angelina Kohler, who finished fourth in the women’s 100m butterfly, noted, “She won a medal. We have to assume she didn’t use drugs, but there’s still a bitter aftertaste. I hope for a thorough investigation.”
At this event, Chinese swimming sprinter Pan Zhanle set a world record in the 100m freestyle (46.40 seconds). Zhang defended Pan, saying, “His record is not surprising. He has multiple records under 47 seconds.” Pan Zhanle did not test positive for drugs.
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