16 year old Ye Shiwen under the microscope

[malaise]

after breaking the world record in the women's swimming 400m.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-19062639
<snip>
Teenage Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen is not a drug cheat, the British Olympic Association's chairman has said, after a US coach cast doubt on her world record-breaking swim.

Lord Colin Moynihan said Ye, 16, had passed drug tests, was "clean" and deserved recognition for her talent.

Ye smashed her personal best by at least five seconds in the 400m Medley.

Senior US coach John Leonard said her performance was disturbing and hinted that doping could have been involved.
-----
Sour grapes or...?????

[Sanity Claws]

1. She swam a lap faster than the fastest man

I heard this on the news this morning. That does sound odd --- a 16 year old girl swam faster than the fastest man.

It seems to raise some red flags.

[ananda]

10. China is dirty on this one.

It'll catch up with them some day.

[nc4bo]

2. She is absolutely amazing and hope it is pure talent we're seeing but

if there were going to be a drug that enhances performance that is undetectable, would it be wrong of anyone to think it'd be from the Chinese?

[malaise]

5. Given the use of drugs by American, Eastern European, Chinese

and other athletes, it would be wrong. Does Marion Jones ring a bell? The difference with FLo Jo's time in the 1988 Olympics blew most T&F brains.
Should the rest of the world have raised red flags over Phelps, Bolt or any of the great winners from 2008?
Until there is evidence of drug taking it is wrong

[Are_grits_groceries]

7. Given China's track record on doping

in swimming previously, I have some doubts.

She swam at an incredible pace while her turns and form were execrable. When Bolt and others have broken records, the times usually were not so fast as to be astounding. Records usually fall by much smaller increments.

Is there a reasonable explanation for her times? It doesn't appear to be in her form or physique.

I have doubts about other athletes. Some are never proven so I don't wave red flags and shout.
I also don't think the US is exempt from scrutiny or that we have a pristine record.

The Chinese opened this can of worms a long time ago.

[malaise]

13. Can't buy that or I'd have to be suspicious of all US track athletes

This can of worms is everywhere

[Are_grits_groceries]

17. I'm pretty much

suspicious of the lot of them. That includes all countries. However, some efforts really raise red flags. WADA can't keep up with designer drugs or even new biological techniques.

US Track does differ in that many of the athletes have their own coaches. While their is a training center, USTF doesn't dictate everything to them.

Chinese sports on the other hand is a government run program. It's not unlike the East Germans used to be. That makes it easier to have government sanctioned abuse.

A lot of countries are more of a hodge podge of clubs, groups at educational places, academies run by certain coaches and whatever. They could all get together and pass secret substances, but it would be much harder.

You show me an athlete who breaks a record like that by FIVE seconds, and I am going to question it even if it was my Mama.

[Firebrand Gary]

3. Ugh....This is ridiculous, shame on the MSM for fanning this.

So a coach made an accusation, BFD. Yet every person with a TV camera or a website is going to make this the story. China won it, we did great, silver is nothing to diminish.

We just need to get over ourselves!

[Robb]

4. China's swimmers don't have the best history on this.

Seven (Chinese) swimmers tested positive for drugs in the 1994 Asian Games, and four years later four Chinese swimmers failed pre-tournament drug tests before the World Championships in Australia.

Chinese officials insist they have cleaned up the sport, but earlier this year another 16-year-old swimming prodigy, Li Zhesi, failed a drug test.

[Firebrand Gary]

8. China is known for playing dirty, I think we should have settled this with the IOC

prior to going pubic. The MSM is where I hold my source of contention. They should have waited until they had all the facts.

[HappyMe]

9. I agree.

If it was a swimmer from the US being accused, I wonder if everyone's attitude would be the same.

[KarenS]

6. five seconds off her personal best,,,,, is a big deal and opens the door for questions,,,,

on the other hand,,,, getting into 'the zone' makes amazing things happen.

I always love to see folks smash world records and I hope it was drug-free.

[ananda]

11. One USA coach mentioned..

.. the possibility of genetic manipulation,
notwithstanding that of doping.

First, I think that new drugs can be designed
so that the athlete can withstand current tests
which don't see them.

Secondly, the idea of genetic manipulation seems
very plausible here. It's not normal for a woman
to be that fast, period.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

12. 5 seconds is a HUGE record setting margin.

Regardless of gender or nationality... I think it needs investigated.

If initial tests show no doping, let the record stand and keep a "test specimen" in the event future drug testing is able to detect something. It is not unusual for new designer drugs or drug regimens to pass drug screenings.

[Evasporque]

14. Ground Rhino Horn and Powdered Gorilla hands....

Obviously....

[obamanut2012]

15. Dirty medal -- Marion Jones tested clean, too

As have many others in the Olympics, Worlds, the Tour, etc.

Chinese female swimmers basically disappeared for a while a few years ago after doping tests were improved. then came back obviously as doped as ever, just using either new drugs or better masking techniques.

[Odin2005]

16. Leonard is a sore loser.