Banned Coach Zhou Ming Reportedly Back On Deck as Chinese Swimmers Move to Turkey

Photo Courtesy: Dirk Lange/Instagram

UPDATE: Dirk Lange released a statement denying all allegations.

Chinese coach Zhou Ming, who has been banned for life for doping violations, has yet again ignored his sanctions and is back on deck again, this time reportedly with a contingent of Chinese swimmers currently training in Turkey according to the Daily Telegraph.

This news comes just two months after Australian swimmers threw a fit at having to train alongside many Chinese swimmers back in March.

The Chinese swimmers reportedly moved training bases up to Turkey at the Gloria Sports Centre in Belek, run by German swim coach Dirk Lange.

In fact, Lange posted a picture of the Chinese team in Belek on Instagram as shown above.

Zhou has been a part of systematic Chinese doping of swimmers since it was first exposed in the 90s. He has been banned for life by FINA, but has routinely shown up back on deck in a variety of locations.

“One of the reasons they turned to Dirk was after (The Sunday Telegraph) turned up the heat in China, they were definitely looking for options,” a top swimming official told the Telegraph.

The article also quotes legendary swim coach Bill Sweetenham taking shots at Lange, as Lange has had a checkered past relating to doping as he reportedly served a suspension for refusing to take a drug test.

“I was openly recruiting sprint coaches around the world. Dirk heard this and came and saw me,” Sweetenham told The Telegraph. “Then I went and asked three of the national staff of German swimming and none of them would give me a positive recommendation for him, and quite the reverse. It would appear he is unemployable in the Western world in swim coaching. The rumours, which are substantiated from people who know what is going on, have ruled him out of nearly every country in the world.”

Full Daily Telegraph Article.

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Laura M Wanco

9 years ago

Wow!

Eric Lahmy

9 years ago

I dont know how you say in English but French say “les mauvaises herbes ont le vie dure”. “Weeds die hard?” This Chinese guy must be the older man in the world and always toxic??