Chinese swimming star Sun Yang’s Australian coach said he felt sorry for the double Olympic champion after it emerged he had served a doping ban, telling media Thursday the athlete was “let down”.
Denis Cotterell made his comments after Australian swimming authorities barred the 1,500 metres world record-holder from training in the country’s pools in the wake of the high-profile drugs case.
Sun served a three-month penalty after testing positive for the banned stimulant trimetazidine in May. He completed his ban on August 17, but it was only revealed by Chinese authorities last month.
Cotterell told Chinese state news agency Xinhua that he was disappointed for Sun and that he “feel(s) for him personally”.
“His situation is most unfortunate, and I definitely don’t hold him to any blame,” he said.
“While only knowing the circumstances as outlined in the various press and media outlets, I feel he’s been let down.”
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