FINA, the governing body for all of the world’s aquatic events, has come out in favor of Chinese superstar Shiwen Ye in light of recent criticism over her 400 IM World Record.
Those making public statements include American Swim Coaches Association chief John Leonard, who called the swim “disturbing”.
FINA emphasizes that Ye has passed all Doping Control obligations and has been tested out-of-competition four times in the last year.
This statement speaks volumes coming from the governing body, as doping is an issue where they usually take a fairly hardline stance: last year, when three Brazilians were let off with just “warnings” after positive tests by their national organization, FINA fought the ruling all the way to the international Court for the Arbitration of Sport, the last resort allowed by law.
London (GBR), August 1, 2012 – Following recent comments reported in the media, FINA would like to clearly state that there is no factual basis to support this kind of insinuations related to the performances of the Chinese swimmer, Shiwen Ye.
This athlete has fulfilled all of the FINA Doping Control obligations, having been tested on four occasions in the last twelve months, including twice before the Chinese Olympic Trials in 2012.
FINA is a leading International Federation in the fight against doping and its policy aims at ensuring a drug-free sport in all of its aquatic disciplines.
Lance Armstrong passed 500+ drug test, why are some still chasing him?
If there is no problem then all these spokespeople can give up their jobs . They are the ones telling us they need all these extra powers yet thety can show no positives?
Nil Nada Zilch in Shanghai.? There wil be non nyet & nicht in London .
Why bother?
Drug users to drug tests are akin to Radar Detectors to Radar Guns…one is always ahead of the other. Like Cancer and AIDS, the problem must exist before a solution is ever sought.
Shiwen Ye’s performance was extraordinary; however, as fans of swimming, we have seen an abundance of extraordinary performances. Mark Spitz’s seven gold medal performance was extraoridinary. Phelps’ 8 golds, and the fashion he won them in were extraordinary. Lezak’s 46.0 relay split was extraordinary. Did we have reason to question any of these athletes? Probably. Has there been any discovery of tainted performances for these athletes? No.
Perhaps Shiwen Ye’s performance was legitimate. Closing faster than Lochte (other than Agnel) seems extraordinary, or even superhuman. We will… Read more »
Keep in mind that testing agencies cannot test for a substance they do not yet know about. It is a safe assumption to say that the “cheaters” are one step ahead of the “testers.”
Saying “This athlete never failed a drug test” is a completely different statement from “This is a clean competitor who does not use any performance enhancing drugs or substances.”
CNN just released this interview. Basically only 10% of cheaters get caught!
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/01/sport/olympics-drugs-pound-shiwen/index.html
Soooo, Olympics is just a joke, and everyone need be careful not to break WR, for he/she will be easily accused doping. America’s doping history is much more terrible than anyother countries, surely Phelps and Franklin should be more careful(not to get caught).
I believe FINA and that Shewin Ye has never tested positive. So I believe she is clean. We must admit it’s hypocritical to laud praise on young American and European swimmers and denigrate young Chinese talent.
My only question is this: Why was she only tested 4 times out of competition this past year? Following Dara Torres’ twitter it seems that she gives blood and urine samples literally every other week. Why are there not more consistent drug tests done all over the world? I understand that it would be a logistical nightmare, and quite a tedious job, but it would ensure that no one anywhere could cheat the system. And those swimmers, particularly those that are youngest, and in… Read more »
Matt – I think the confusion comes from FINA tests vs. National tests. I presume FINA is referring to being tested 4 times by them, then there’s a duty on the local anti-doping organization to test as well. All of the tests you see Phelps and Torres tweet about are more than likely USADA. One presumes that Ye has more tests by her own anti-doping organization.
FINA has their list of tests up through February. Ye already had 1 test, Torres had none.
http://swimswam.com/2012/08/adrian-shocks-the-field-wins-100-free-gold-by-01-in-day-5-finals/
Well then ok. You have me there. USADA definitely has athletes like Phelps and Torres under a different microscope, especially considering their cooperation in the blood-passport program. I’m sure China is complying with all regulations and tests.
Perhaps it’s time for more stringent test requirements by national associations? Or require that every month all sample reports be sent to a central governing body, perhaps WADA. And the countries must stock samples of each athlete tested (from the same test date) so WADA could test a random sample to ensure cooperation. Include a radio-label in the sample with a known half-life to ensure no tampering. That’ll keep everyone honest.
4 tests a year isn’t enough. It needs to be more, and… Read more »
That’s what I advocate, and also why I believe that US performances in swimming are never immediately questioned, even if they are quite fast – while we also adhere to the FINA testing program, it is our national testing program that is quite extensive and demanding, probably more so than any other sport.
This is the same organization that claimed the Chinese performances at the Rome world championships were clean, (and kept the dirty records on the books even after Perth) and that East Germany was definitely not doping, no way, no siree never.
They don’t exactly have the best track record in such issues.
Exactly. If anything they are making it worse because of their history
from a little bit of number crunching, Shiwen Ye’s 200 free time from the 4×200 free relay was a 1:57.37, going out in a 56.5 and coming back in a 1:00.87. if you close your 4 im in a 58.68, you should come back in your 2 free faster than a 1:00.87. just saying…
good thing they keep athlete blood and urine on file for 8 years
Haha, that doesn’t make any sense! She’s either doped or not! It’s not like she was using performance enhancing drugs for the 400 IM and they have magically waned off for this relay.
actually it makes perfect sense…bio crash course: Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that regulates red blood cell (rbc) production. rbcs as you know carry oxygen. when preforming aerobic activities, a higher rbc is beneficial, but in something shorter more “sprinty” and anaerobic (anerobic activity is considered under 2 minutes), a higher RBC would have much less of a benefit. EPO would greatly help in a longer race (400 IM) but something shorter more “sprinty” like a 200 free EPO would not help as much. not saying this is what is going on, but that is a possible explanation for such a good free split in the end of a 4IM and a slower 200 free. so it is not a… Read more »
Also alot of people have issues with FINA right now, so them making this statement probably won’t stop the accusations.
No tests were done btw April (Chinese trials) and Olympics. That’s 3 full months. I have no confidence in the drug testing performed by FINA or IOC. For example, 5 athletes failed new testing procedures (of their old stored blood), but passed with flying colors in 2008. IOC plans to announce these athletes after the 2012 Olympics to avoid negative press. 5 junior Chinese swimmers were found positive for masking diuretics in 2011. That’s LAST YEAR!!!
In 1990s the Chinese doping was government sanctioned and over 50 swimmers over a period of 5 years were effected. The under age Chinese gymnastic athletes and their passport ages was an issue with passport photographs disappearing from websites just days before 2008 Olympics!!… Read more »
I know it can be unfair. But if they wouldnt have those months “in hiding” it would probably help them ALOT with the skepticism. So if they Ate playing fair and want the “racist accusations” to stop they should do something about this especially
Racism has nothing to do with it! It has to do with what governments are willing to sponsor. The Chinese government made a conscious decision to cheat and now they need to show the world in as many ways as possible that their athletes are clean. I would be saying the same thing about any country that cheated. USA included!! In fact I did – East Germans and govt was just as guilty.
I don’t think so either I’m just saying this statement won’t change anyone’s minds really