Chinese officials have reacted angrily to doping accusations swirling around their newest swimming superstar Ye Shiwen, who has won two gold medals at the London Olympics.
The accusations grew after the 16-year-old Ye won the women’s 400-meter individual medley, and Ye also won Tuesday’s 200-meter IM race. In Saturday’s 400, Ye swam the last lap in 28.93 seconds a split-second faster than American winner Ryan Lochte posted in the last 50 of the men’s race.
On Wednesday, the state-run Global Times fired back, saying questions about Ye’s feats were unfair.
“The West still judges China with an old mentality, and is petty about the progress China makes,” the newspaper said in an editorial. That was followed by the state broadcaster CCTV stepping in to support Ye on its noon newscast.
Ye’s father, Ye Qingsong, told Chinese media that western media are “always arrogant.” Olympic organizers in London also defended the Chinese swimmer.
Ye received support on Wednesday from the swimmer who finished second to her in Tuesday’s race, Alicia Coutts of Australia.
“I feel for the poor girl, just to have that speculation weighing on her,” Coutts said.
