EYESHENZHEN  /   Opinion

Sun Yang deserves fair judgment

Writer: Tan Yifan  | Editor: Jane Chen  | From:  | Updated: 2019-07-29

It is common sense to call a man who may have violated the law a “suspect” before he is proven guilty, and in some cases happening under a certain law system, if one juror casts a dissenting vote, a suspect will be acquitted and remain innocent.

What if an innocent man who hasn’t been found guilty has been repeatedly smeared? He has every right to accuse his attackers of defamation.

How, then, did Sun Yang, the 28-year-old three-time Olympic gold medalist and 11 world championship titles holder, react against the vicious slander against him at the recent World Aquatics Championship (WAC) held in South Korea? He chose to defend himself by doing his best in the swimming pool (to show his respect for the game) and telling his competitor “I won,” earning his medals aboveboard through his efforts.

The attacks against Sun first came from his long-running rival Australian swimmer Mack Horton, who came second to Sun at the 400m freestyle final on July 21 at Gwangju, South Korea. Horton refused to step onto the podium in protest to the result and to show disrespect.

On July 23, the joint-bronze winner, British competitor Duncan Scott, reignited the feud by repeating Horton’s behavior – refusing to share the podium with Sun and the runner-up and encouraging other medalists to do the same – after the 200m freestyle race.

Three days later, Brazilian swimmer Joao de Lucca was spotted ignoring a handshake from Sun after the men’s 4x100 freestyle relay.

Where do the allegations and fury come from?

It may come from Sun’s controversial past, biased reporting from media or the fear of his rivals.

In May 2014, Sun was suggested by his team doctor to take a medicine that can cure myocardial ischemia.

The medicine was once widely used by athletes but had recently been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Due to the negligence of his doctor, Sun mistakenly took the medicine and tested positive after the Chinese National Swimming Championships. He was banned for three months, stripped of his gold medal and fined.

In 2016, months before the Olympics, media outlets in Australia began to fuel tensions by reporting Sun’s positive testing. After Horton beat Sun at the 400m freestyle during the Olympics, he called Sun a “drug cheat” to his face.

In 2017, Sun beat Horton at WAC at Budapest, and the two seemed to reconcile their differences on the podium and took a photo together.

But last year, a report of Sun smashing a vial of his blood again stoked worries among his opponents. Almost no details of the incident have been reported in the English media.

According to a 59-page report released by the International Swimming Federation (FINA), Sun and the investigative body have given different accounts of the process. According to Sun, at the out-of-competition test conducted by International Doping Tests and Management (IDTM) on Sept. 4, 2018, the assistant of a test officer didn’t bring certificates, and the assistant took a photo of Sun in private. Sun then started to doubt their competence. The test officer also had had a conflict with Sun previously. As one who once was banned for a positive test, Sun was concerned that the test was being made by an unprofessional person. After being granted permission by the test officer, Sun took out the vial from the container and he permitted the security guard to smash the vial. He also tore up the sheet.

FINA concluded that Sun has not committed an anti-doping rule violation. In September, he will face a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing on the incident.

Unconventionally, most of the media reports from the U.K. and Australia chose to ignore part of the facts and the supportive comments for Sun from Sun’s Australian coach and the former Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority chief Richard Ings. The reports have mainly focused on the words and behaviors that were unfavorable to Sun.

As for Horton, who acted so eagerly purportedly to protect the purity of the sport, he chose to forget the previous doping incidents involving his Australian team members. He also seemed to forget the fact that he failed to meet the strict selection criteria by his coach but somehow got the nod to join WAC.

Horton and his supporters appear to think the more people who defame Sun the more likely they will win the battle of words. But no matter how hard they try, rumors will not prevail.

The truth generally falls in the hands of the minority and the truth will be tested soon in September.

Unfounded accusations won’t change facts. It just shows the fear of Sun’s rivals and their fear of China’s increasingly strong swim team.

Horton, Scott, and Australia’s governing body of the sport, Swimming Australia, received warning letters from the competition organizers for their behaviors.

Sun has invited the public to attend the hearing in September. Once Sun is proven innocent again he has the right to sue anyone who disregards the rules of the international game and openly mocks the spirit of the sport.

Justice may be delayed but it won’t be denied.

(The author is a Shenzhen Daily reporter/editor.)