Chinese support their Olympic swimmer Ye Shiwen
- 12 years ago
Ye Shiwen, "Chinese People's Dose of Excitement," read headlines on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old swimmer took her second gold in the 200-metre individual medley final Tuesday and secured a world-record triumph in the 400 medley on Saturday.
But the swimmer's victory sparked controversy after American John Leonard, the executive director of the World Swimming Coaches Association, suggested to Britain's Guardian newspaper that doping could be behind Ye's astonishing performance.
State television CCTV devoted five minutes in its morning bulletin, rejecting the reports of drug allegations.
The anchor announced that the Chinese national team had taken more than 100 steroid tests and all were clean as supporters in Beijing threw their support behind the young athlete.
This woman said Leonard's comments are irresponsible, and that Ye's victory relied on her "perseverance and talent".
The U.S. team on Tuesday stepped back from the comments, saying Leonard was not associated in any way with the country's swimming or Olympic team.
The British Olympic squad has also backed away from Leonard's comments.
Sarah Sheffer, Reuters
The 16-year-old swimmer took her second gold in the 200-metre individual medley final Tuesday and secured a world-record triumph in the 400 medley on Saturday.
But the swimmer's victory sparked controversy after American John Leonard, the executive director of the World Swimming Coaches Association, suggested to Britain's Guardian newspaper that doping could be behind Ye's astonishing performance.
State television CCTV devoted five minutes in its morning bulletin, rejecting the reports of drug allegations.
The anchor announced that the Chinese national team had taken more than 100 steroid tests and all were clean as supporters in Beijing threw their support behind the young athlete.
This woman said Leonard's comments are irresponsible, and that Ye's victory relied on her "perseverance and talent".
The U.S. team on Tuesday stepped back from the comments, saying Leonard was not associated in any way with the country's swimming or Olympic team.
The British Olympic squad has also backed away from Leonard's comments.
Sarah Sheffer, Reuters