China's top long distance runner, Sun Yingjie, has been handed a
two-year suspension for doping, while her coach, Wang Dexian, was
slapped with a lifelong ban for a second violation of anti-doping
rules. In addition, both were fined RMB 10,000 yuan each.
The Chinese Athletics Association (CAA) announced its decision
on Thursday.
Sun's ban from competition runs from October 20, 2005 to October
19, 2007. Sun tested positive for the banned substance androsterone
last October at the National Games.
In Wang's case, the CAA imposed a lifelong ban having taken into
consideration the fact that Wang was also involved in the 1995
doping case of runner Zuo Qingmei, then also under his
coaching.
With the ban, Wang has lost his position as national head
coach.
Sun has to subject herself to four drugs tests during the
two-year ban if she is to resume competing when the ban expires,
according to the CAA. Sun herself faces a life ban if she fails or
misses any of these tests.
CAA spokesman Yang Lifeng told Xinhua News Agency that Sun and
Wang's ban would not affect the training of the national distance
running team as another coach Hu Rong has been put in charge
temporarily.
He said that Olympic 10,000 meters champion Xing Huina, who was
coached by Wang, would be training with Hu for the moment.
Sun has protested her innocence, insisting that she was set up
and even won a court case in December against an athlete she
accused of spiking her drinks, which caused her to fail the doping
test. But the CAA upheld the ban citing that an athlete should be
responsible for what he or she drinks at all times.
Sun was one of the biggest Olympic hopes for China, and still
has the chance to run in the 2008
Beijing Games post-ban.
(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2006)