MEDIA CONTENDERS
Zhang Yufei was one of the swimmers alleged by The New York Times and ARD to have been among the 23.
The 26-year-old, one of China’s biggest stars, won two golds in Tokyo and the so-called “butterfly queen” will again be in contention for medals in Paris.
She told AFP in May that her aim for the Olympics was to “surpass my past self”.
In written answers to questions posed before the positive tests came to light, Zhang said winning the 200m butterfly in Tokyo and the medal ceremony afterwards were “the most precious moments in my life”.
AFP tried to contact Zhang and the Chinese Swimming Association several times since the controversy erupted but neither replied to the questions put to them.
China’s 31-member swim squad also boasts several others who will seriously challenge for medals in Paris but have questions hanging over them.
Also alleged to have been among the 23 and set to compete in Paris is Wang Shun, the 200m medley gold medallist in Tokyo.
There is also Qin Haiyang, a breaststroke multiple world champion and the 200m record holder.
China’s best-known swimmer, the three-time Olympic gold medallist Sun Yang, will not be in Paris – he is only just back from suspension for an anti-doping violation of his own, the second of his career.
