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Aussie Zac Stubblety-Cook Reportedly Considering Podium Protest Against Qin Haiyang

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

One of the top stories regarding the Chinese swimming team heading into Paris is the fact that 11 of the 23 who tested positive for banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) ahead of the 2020 Olympics are among the lineup for these Games.

Although the nation’s roster of 31 athletes has already been drug tested almost 200 times in total after just its first 10 days in Paris, Chinese swimmers may not receive an overwhelmingly cheerful response upon earning a medal.

For instance, reigning 200m breaststroke Olympic champion Zac Stubblety-Cook told Reuters this week that he may consider a podium protest or other display of disapproval should current world record holder Qin Haiyang of China earn a medal.

“Personally I think I will make a decision [about a protest of some kind] probably on the day.

“Racing someone that was one of those athletes and finding out he was one of those athletes was disappointing.

“I think it’s less about what country they came from and more about the system and how the system ultimately feels like it’s failed. And that’s the truth.”

As we reported earlier this year, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Rule 50, which governs athlete expression, maintains for Paris that athletes are still not allowed to make signs of protest or expression during official ceremonies like medal ceremonies.

ZSC acknowledged this fact, stating, “Everyone probably is aware of rule 50 here and the repercussions that happen with that.”

It was at the 2019 World Championships where now-retired Aussie medalist Mack Horton protested gold medalist Sun Yang‘s (CHN) presence by abstaining from podium celebrations, standing behind the platform on the floor during the Chinese national anthem.

Horton and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) received warning letters from World Aquatics (then FINA) for the demonstration.

Another Olympic champion breaststroker, Adam Peaty of Great Britain, has also commented on the current state of Chinese doping case affairs. He said this week, “If it’s not fair then it takes the enjoyment out for me.

“I think if other countries aren’t living up to that standard [high standard that British athletes are], then it’s a real shame that brings a real dark cloud over what the Olympics is meant to stand for.” (Reuters)

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Neil 47-54
3 months ago

Am American. Love the UVA girls especially but am 100% pulling for Zac Stubblety-Cook. Wish more would take a stand.

K Perth
3 months ago

When they cannot win, they will bring others down

How many times Americans, Australian or other western nation get tested?

Obviously not much at all.

Jealousy runs in their DNA

Oliver Yerfase
Reply to  K Perth
3 months ago

When THEY cannot win, THEY cheat.

Viking Steve
3 months ago

Good for him… I hope others have the courage to do so as well.

Absolutely
3 months ago

Hey, you have Shana Jack in your team.

Andrew
Reply to  Absolutely
3 months ago

Shayna Jack served her ban. The 20+ Chinese athletes that tested positive haven’t served any bans

Try again

Absolutely
Reply to  Andrew
3 months ago

So, are you saying ZSC is complaining about Chinese not serving any bans than their doping itself? And you say things like this when you have a doper in your own team? Even before making the podium finish? What do you think what Jack would think about your comment? Don’t you think it will create some awkward mood inside Aussie team? I see typical prototype Aussies here at the Olympics. They get extremely nervous then choke in the Olympics. Accusing your own coach and talking about sending him back home for saying some words of simple cheering for a foreign swimmer he coached just shows how nervous they are. I see an Aussie melt down in Paris.

Robbos
Reply to  Absolutely
3 months ago

I see you melting in Paris if you cannot see the difference.

Absolutely
Reply to  Andrew
3 months ago

Served or not served a ban, doper is a doper. It’s typical Aussie nerve showing before the Olympics, so I’m not that surprised though.

Try again.

Viking Steve
Reply to  Absolutely
3 months ago

Systemic state sanctioned d*ping is just a bit different.

Bazola
Reply to  Absolutely
3 months ago

Exactly, she should have got 4 years.

Barty’s Bakery
Reply to  Bazola
3 months ago

If she did she would still be eligible to compete in France

Barty’s Bakery
Reply to  Absolutely
3 months ago

I think the podium protest is a terrible idea as well but your constant Australia bashing is bordering on ridiculous. Just shhhh

Yousef
3 months ago

🇨🇳 CHINA CHINA CHINA 😁 🇨🇳
Aussies 🤪
Americans 🤠
GB: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇮🇪 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 anyone else to join us?

Yousef
3 months ago

Great, Russia are out of the way and now China and any nation dares to out perform USA, Australia And GB will be attacked and accused and fought out of competition. All athletes are suspects of using enhancement drugs and all are tested, except the Chinese are tested 4 times more and are subject to scrutiny from other athletes and the Olympic committee is a spectator in all of this. This Aussie swimmer should be warned before the events: shut up or you will be kicked out. That will send a message to all athletes to respect the rules and other athletes or GO HOME.

justanotherswimmer
Reply to  Yousef
3 months ago

a

Last edited 3 months ago by justanotherswimmer
Campb
Reply to  Yousef
3 months ago

What a load of rubbish, this is a perfect testament to the kind of brainwashing the Chinese state brandishes on its citizens all year round. Your last sentence in particular is a complete contradiction, state-sanctioned systemic doping is a complete violation of any rules and shows nothing but total disdain and disrespect for other athletes and the efforts they put in to reach the pinnacle of their respective sports. Trying to maintain sporting integrity is admirable and should be applauded.

The fact is that China’s best swimmers in recent years have largely been drug cheats. Clearly, China struggles seeing itself as an inferior swimming nation and has resorted to whatever means necessary to achieve success. Chinese swimming fans will… Read more »

Steven
Reply to  Campb
3 months ago

Ard you claiming that they also brainwashed WADA? It’s alarming how nationalism has made people believe whatever they want.

I looked at both cases of WADA reports. And it’s clear they didn’t cheat given the evidence. They were tested highly frequently. Yet it seems people don’t want to believe that Chinese swimmers are strong and need to make up baseless claims because then don’t want to admit that Chinese swimmers are becoming decent at swimming.

Look at the reports.

1.WADA Director General, Oliver Niggli, stated that the three cases involving elite swimmers were due to contamination, not doping. Niggli explained that these athletes were frequently tested, and the amounts of Clenbuterol found were extremely low, far below the… Read more »

Wendyp
3 months ago

Don’t miss the point – it’s not a protest of the individual swimmer, its a protest of the System that is failing to protect athletes by prohibiting doping.

By standing up against the failure of the system to keep athletes safe, Zac would be standing up for Chinese swimmers too!!

Steven
Reply to  Wendyp
3 months ago

It’s borderline bigotry and denial. WADA already reviewed the case and do not find it Fair to ban them. What basis do they have for their protest other than pushing baseless allegations and smear campaign out of jealousy.

Philip Johnson
3 months ago

I respect his conviction, but not sure if it is worth it. Mac Horton got the full wrath of the Chinese on social media for his stance on the doper Sun Yang. However, maybe it was worth it for him since he already beat him at the Olympics.

Steven
Reply to  Philip Johnson
3 months ago

Mac Horton has been going downhill since. He hasn’t won anything in past years and not even competing in Paris as he couldn’t even make the national team esp when other Aussies are faster. He clearly physched himself out despite Sun isn’t even competing in those last years.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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