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Two London Medalists, Including Sun Yang, Miss 1500 Final

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

After his surprising absence from the 2015 World Championship final last year, it was a question coming into these Games what kind of form defending Olympic gold medalist Sun Yang would be in for the men’s 1500 free. It’s now clear.

Sun labored in his 1500 heat this afternoon, starting to trail off at the halfway mark and looked like he was going in reverse for the rest of the race. It really didn’t even look like he was trying, but he was probably out of gas, not in sufficient shape for the gruelling event.

Ever since breaking the world record in this event back at the 2011 World Championships, Sun appeared unbeatable in this event. He roared to another world record at the 2012 Olympics, winning by nearly nine seconds, and won again at the 2013 Worlds. His absence from the final in 2015 brought up many questions, whether he actually had a heart issue that he claimed, or if it had something to do with an alleged altercation in the warm-up pool with a Brazilian swimmer, or if he simply wilted at the thought of a showdown with Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri.

Whatever the reason was there, he was way off form here, 30 seconds over his world record in 15:01.97 to place 16th.

This concludes a roller coaster week for Sun, who was accused of doping by Australian Mack Horton (which is fair considering Sun has tested positive in the past), and also lost the 400 free to Horton, unable to defend his Olympic title.

He came back to win the 200 free two nights later, improving from his silver in London.

Sun wasn’t the only London Olympic medalist who missed the final, as bronze medalist Oussama Mellouli did as well, placing 21st in 15:07.78.

Mellouli won the 2008 Olympic final over Australian legend Grant Hackett and Canada’s Ryan Cochrane, and came back to win the bronze in 2012 along with gold in the 10 KM Open Water event. He also won gold in this event at the 2009 World Championships.

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Dustin
8 years ago

Could it have something to do with his teammate being tested positive?

Lennart van Haaften
8 years ago

Hopefully Sun will be back healthy next year. Still a very successful meet for him, becoming the first swimmer to win gold in the 200, 400, and 1400 meter over his career.

Lennart van Haaften
Reply to  Lennart van Haaften
8 years ago

1500 that is…

YiJiun
8 years ago

“He once took a heart medication that is no longer recognized as a stimulant”
Enough said.

In fact, the ones who had the cheek to label him a drug cheat were the real cheats who decided to take advantage of his heart condition while exploiting his temperament.

Deliberately went out to make your blood boil despite knowing fully well your heart condition. Gentlemen, please give it a thought.

Who were the real cheats? 🙂 (y)

http://time.com/4446058/rio-2016-swimming-sun-yang-drug-cheat-china/

bigfish
Reply to  YiJiun
8 years ago

“He once took a heart medication that is no longer recognized as a stimulant”

You seem to implicate that this trimetazidine he was taking is no longer a banned substance, when in fact it is still there on WADA list, only has been re-classified to a different category as a metabolic modulator. That does not make Sun Yang any less of a drug cheat.

The correct sentence should be “He once took a heart medication that is recognized as a metabolic modulator”. But then again chinese anti-doping agency is not competent in translating WADA list of prohibited substances, so what can we expect from chinese fans of Sun Yang.

SwimmerFoxJet
8 years ago

It’s fair that Mack called him a cheater? WOAH WOAH.

maggie
Reply to  SwimmerFoxJet
8 years ago

? Seriously? He didn’t win so he is a cheater? I have no idea why people being so mean. He has being cold since 200m and he made his best effort already. WE ARE PROUND OF HIM!

CROOKED HILLARY
8 years ago

He probably drank the local water and is now on the toilet twice an hour.

Janet
8 years ago

Last night he claimed he got sick since the 200 Free. Then what he performed today is within expectation…

Jianfei Shao
8 years ago

He actually had a cold/fever, I’m not sure if he would have won it without the cold, but he would have put up a better fight for sure.

Gavin
8 years ago

Still i think he can play better, i wish good luck for him in the future. Through i think he made only one mistake in Rio that is too confident to call himself “King of 1500”

Jianfei Shao
Reply to  Gavin
8 years ago

Yeah, that’s unfortunate, being defending olympics champion, three times world champion, and WR holder, he does have ground to call himself that, but shouldn’t have, it just makes his performance looks bad.

Emanuele
Reply to  Jianfei Shao
8 years ago

Three times? 2011, 2013 and?

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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