Thompson Makes Statement In 100-Meter Freestyle Win

Jenny Thompson set aside politics to win her first major individual gold medal Monday. Well almost.

Thompson, a vocal critic of the Chinese swimming regime tainted by another drug scandal, won the 100-meter freestyle world title Monday.

Left behind was China’s Shan Ying, the top ranked swimmer in the race. Shan was third while Martina Moravcova of Slovakia was second.

Thompson, 24, wore a hat to a news conference this week with a badge reading “no drugs” in reference to the expulsion from the championships of swimmer Yuan Yuan and coach Zhou Zhewen after they tried to bring banned human growth hormones into the country.

Thompson, who won five Olympic relay golds, couldn’t resist a dig. Asked if her win had an edge because she beat a Chinese swimmer, Thompson replied, “Let’s just say that’s one clean win.”

Thompson missed a world championship gold medal four years ago when the U.S. 400-meter relay team was beaten by a Chinese team containing one member who tested positive to steroids a few weeks later. Another was coached by Zhewen.

Thompson held off a late challenge, finishing in 54.95 seconds, 0.14 ahead of Moravcova.

“I didn’t think I won,” Thompson said. “I heard Martina scream for joy.”

Thompson won an Olympic silver medal in the event at the 1992 Olympics but four years later was third in the U.S. Olympic trials. She anchored three relay wins but remained without the individual gold.

“I’m really happy to win the gold medal for the U.S. - it’s not life or death but it’s a great accomplishment and I don’t take it for granted,” Thompson said.