Sun Yang's Relentless Pursuit: A Return to Form

Sun Yang, a former Chinese swimming champion, refuses to retire despite past doping violations. At 34, he aims to challenge age in competitive swimming. Recently, he placed sixth in the 400m freestyle at China's National Games and was disqualified in the 200m event final.

Sun Yang, the formerly banned Chinese swimmer and multi-time Olympic champion, has reaffirmed his determination to compete despite being 34 years old. Participating in China's National Games in Shenzhen, he finished sixth in the men's 400 meters freestyle event.

Sun, who faced a suspension of four years and three months due to a doping violation in 2018, emphasizes his commitment to push the boundaries of his athletic performance. His initial ban was longer but reduced upon appeal and completed in May 2024, preventing him from qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games.

Even after winning a national championship last year, Sun experienced a setback at the Games, as he was disqualified from the 200m freestyle final for undisclosed reasons. However, he remains optimistic about his future in swimming, aiming to redefine expectations for older athletes.

(With inputs from agencies.)