Troubles Continue For China Four Swimmers Suspended; U.S. Takes Two More Golds
Four Chinese swimmers were suspended for drugs Wednesday, strengthening accusations that have shadowed the team for years and prompting calls for China to be removed from the world championships.
The United States won two titles and Olympic gold medalist Alexander Popov took the men’s 100-meter freestyle. But the focus of the championships again was on drugs and China’s team.
FINA, swimming’s governing body, said Wang Wei of China’s men’s team and Wang Luna, Cai Huijue and Zhang Yi of the women’s team tested positive for the banned diuretic triamterene and were immediately suspended.
The federation also announced suspensions against two other Chinese team members involved in last week’s seizure of a banned performance-enhancer.
Yuan Yuan, a swimmer caught by Australian customs Jan. 8 with human growth hormones in her suitcase, was given a four-year suspension. Coach Zhou Zhewen, who said he placed the drugs in the suitcase, was banned for 15 years, although FINA said it would review his case after 10 years.
In New York, IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch said drug use by Chinese athletes hurt that country’s hopes of holding the Summer Games.
“They have the right to pursue a bid,” he said. “But it is up to the IOC members what is acceptable. I think they would be in trouble.”
In the pool, Popov, a Russian who lives in Australia, beat Aussie training partner Michael Klim in the 100 freestyle. Popov is attempting to become the first man to win a 50- and 100-meter double at successive world championships.
Popov, seriously injured during a knife attack in Moscow following the Atlanta Olympics, finished in 48.93 seconds. Klim, who won the 200-meter freestyle and was a member of the winning 800-meter relay team, was second in 49.20.
Lea Maurer of Crestwood, N.Y., won the women’s 100-meter backstroke in 1:01.16, .12 ahead of Mai Nakamura of Japan.
The United States won the women’s 400 freestyle relay, and Brooke Bennett of Plant City, Fla., finished second in the women’s 400, losing the lead to Chen Yan of China in the final 100 yards and finishing .35 behind.