China’s Qin Haiyang holds the world record in the 200 metres breaststroke, which he set at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. He swept to a 50, 100 and 200 metres treble in Fukuoka, becoming the first swimmer in history to win all three breaststroke events at a single edition of the championships.
Subsequently, at the 2023 Swimming World Cup, Qin won gold in all three breaststroke events (50m, 100m, and 200m) at all three World Cup legs, held in Berlin, Athens and Budapest.
Thanks to his scintillating performance, in 2023, Qin became the first Asian to be named the Male Swimmer of the Year by World Aquatics.
Is Qin Haiyang gonna get a Yehao moments? pic.twitter.com/D2OLtEK175
— Chris Labrusca (not an alt) (@christherebooot) July 27, 2024
Doping controversies
However, the 25-year-old swimming sensation will be among the Chinese swimmers swimming under a cloud in the Paris Olympics because of doping controversies,
He was allegedly among the 23 Chinese athletes allowed to compete in the Tokyo Games despite testing positive for a banned drug.
This was revealed in April 2024 following a joint investigation by the New York Times and the German television channel ARD.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) accepted China’s explanation that the kitchen at their hotel had been contaminated but promised to increase the level of testing of Chinese athletes competing in Paris.
Meanwhile, in June 2024, the New York Times further alleged that Qin, along with swimmers Wang Shun and Yang Junxuan, had also tested positive several years earlier for a different performance-enhancing drug but had escaped being publicly identified and suspended.
Unhappy competitors
The controversy has left several Olympic competitors in Paris unhappy with Wada’s handling of the affair.
Australian swimmer Zac Stubblety-Cook, the former 200-metre world breaststroke record holder, said he was considering a poolside protest against the Chinese competitors in Paris.
Qin has accused American and European athletes of conspiring to distract Chinese athletes from their Olympic preparations.
“Some tricks aim to disrupt our preparation rhythm and destroy our psychological defence! But we are not afraid. When you have a clear conscience, you do not fear slander. The team is currently preparing at the established pace. My teammates and I will resist the pressure and win more medals to silence the sceptics!” he said.