The Week That Was: Sun Yang Doping Case Overturned By Swiss Federal Tribunal

Sun Yang - Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

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Even with Christmas last week, there was still lots of happenings in the swimming universe. It was one of the biggest stories in the early days of 2020, but Sun Yang’s doping case has been overturned by the Swiss Federal Tribunal due to a conflict of interest by the chairman of the Court of Arbitration for Sport panel, Franco Frattini.

Swimming Canada also released its preliminary list for the 2021 Olympic Trials that are set to take place in April.

Read below the five biggest stories in The Week That Was sponsored by Suitmate.

The Week That Was #1: Sun Yang Doping Case Overturned

Sun Yang and his counsel Ian Meakin, – Photo Courtesy: Craig Lord

By Dan D’Addona

Sun Yang‘s eight-year doping ban has been overturned by an appeals court.

The Swiss Federal Tribunal has upheld Sun Yang’s appeal against the ban, handed out by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this year. The World Anti-Doping Agency said that it had been informed of the decision, but the full statement of reasoning has not been released.

According to the New York Times, the decision was made not based on the case’s merits, but due to the fact that the chairman of the CAS panel, Italian Franco Frattini made public comments that were anti-Chinese. Because the CAS decision has been overturned, Sun will become eligible to compete until his case is again heard. WADA will have to present its case again.

WADA released this statement:

“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been informed of the decision of the Swiss Federal Tribunal to uphold the revision application filed by Chinese swimmer Sun Yang and to set aside the 20 February 2020 award of a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Panel. The case is in relation to WADA’s successful appeal against the original Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) disciplinary panel decision following an incident that led to a doping control involving Sun Yang not being completed as planned. The Swiss Federal Tribunal’s decision upholds a challenge against the Chair of the CAS Panel and makes no comment on the substance of this case. In the CAS award, WADA clearly prevailed on the substance of the case as it was able to show that there were a number of aspects of the original FINA decision that were incorrect under the World Anti-Doping Code and the related International Standard for Testing and Investigations. WADA will take steps to present its case robustly again when the matter returns to the CAS Panel, which will be chaired by a different president.”

#2: Swimming Canada Releases Preliminary Top 30 Lists For Olympic Trials

Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

By Matthew De George

Swimming Canada on Wednesday released the preliminary lists of 30 swimmers for possible invitations to next April’s Canadian Olympic Trials in Toronto.

The lists released Wednesday rank the top 30 Canadian swimmers in each Olympic event, as of Dec. 18. This is the basis for Canadian Olympic Trials invites, where up to a maximum of 20 swimmers in each event will compete. That process will be initiated on Jan. 6.

With Canadian swimmers as the obvious priority, potential invitations to non-Canadian swimmers to use the meet to chase Olympic A cuts can then be considered.

The Week That Was #3: Judge Grants Injunction Blocking University of Iowa From Dropping Women’s Swimming in 2021

2019-usa-nationals-prelims-university-of-iowa

Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble

By Dan D’Addona

The University of Iowa women’s swim team might not be done after this season after all.

On Tuesday, Dec. 22, a federal judge announced the decision to grant an injunction that blocks the University of Iowa from dropping women’s swimming for the 2021-2022 school year.

The university cut the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs, effective after the 2020-21 school year.

The decision by Federal District Judge Stephanie Rose came at the end of a hearing on the Title IX complaint filed by four female swimmers, according to the Press-Citizen.

According to the complaint, which was filed earlier this month, the swimmers claimed the university is violating Title IX by dropping women’s swimming and diving teams.

#4: Andrei Minakov Lowers European Junior SCM Record

Andrei Minakov; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

By Liz Byrnes

Andrei Minakov set a European junior short-course 100 fly record of 50.12 as he claimed two silver medals on day two of the Vladimir Salnikov Cup in St Petersburg.

Minakov split 23.45/26.67 to take a sliver of 0.01 off his own mark from 2018 as he took second behind, 0.03 behind Mikhail Vekovishchev who stopped the clock at 50.09.

The 18-year-old followed that up with second in the 50 free in 21.51 with Ivan Kuzmenko taking the title in 21.31.

Link to results

Minakov had also finished second on day one in the 50 fly, days after setting a new world junior record of 22.34 at the Russian Championships.

The Week That Was #5: Lilly King Matching Donations to Newburgh Sea Creatures Club

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

By Dan D’Addona

Olympic gold medalist Lilly King is giving back to her home club.

King announced on social medial she will match all donations to the Newburgh Sea Creatures up to $5,000.

The club is raising money for its 2021 season, which will likely include travel costs for the 2021 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Nebraska.

“I will be matching donations for the Newburgh Sea Creatures from until December 31st up to $5000 dollars! Link in bio to donate,” King wrote on Instagram.

To donate or learn more about the fundraiser, click here.

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