Sun Yang denies retirement and looks forward to a comeback [it is not impossible to compete for the Paris Olympics]

On February 2020, 2, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced the ruling of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) v. Sun Yang and FINA Hearing, stating that Chinese swimming Olympic champion Sun Yang was banned for eight years, effective immediately. On June 28, 2021, the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced that Sun Yang's 6-year ban was reduced to 22 years and 8 months. It starts on February 4, 3 and ends on May 2020, 2.

In the past two years, Sun Yang has gradually faded out of people's sight, what has Sun Yang done in the days away from the public eye? Is he still training? Will he still want to catch the last train to the Paris Olympics, who will be over 32 years old by then? Sun Yang recently took the initiative to accept an interview with the media and revealed his heart: he has not retired, will never give up, insist on training, and look forward to his comeback. In the interview, Sun Yang burst into tears several times, which was also quite emotional.

status quo

I have not retired and still insist on swimming training every day

To the question that the outside world is most concerned about, that is, whether Sun Yang is still training, whether he has thought about retiring and when he will prepare to return, Sun Yang's answer is: "I have never said to the outside world that I am retired or not swimming. I have always believed that using my body and ability to do what I have to do and always be ready is my current state of mind. The most important thing about a person's talent is to play well and make good use of it. When I learned the result that day, I was with the team, and I said that I wanted everyone to continue to support me, four years is not long, I want to stick with it. ”

In the past few years of being banned, Sun Yang was still a little uncomfortable at the beginning, such as the days when he should have competed became a little lonely and lost. Every year in April, the national championship, the summer usually have international competitions such as the World Championships, etc., he suddenly has no competition tasks, and the conditioned reflexes and habits formed over the years will suddenly change. However, Sun Yang adjusted quite quickly, still getting up at normal times, eating breakfast, going to the gym, etc., working seriously when there is work, and dealing with other things.

This also made Sun Yang gradually understand a truth: swimming will not be the whole of his life, and one day he will also leave the pool. But no matter how it changes, swimming is also an inseparable part of Sun Yang's life, so he has been insisting on it. Sun Yang is still insisting on self-training and adjustment every day, and the travel distance may be less than when he trained with the national team and the Zhejiang team, but the training volume of several kilometers or even 10,000 meters is still available. He said, "If a person can't even do self-discipline, then he can't succeed, which is the hardest thing in life, and it's the same in life." I was able to do it. ”

Of course, there are also happiness in difficult days, and there are also things that make Sun Yang happy. In September 2022, Sun Yang finally received a certificate from FINA for breaking the men's 9m freestyle world record at the London Olympics. Regarding receiving the certificate 1500 years later, Sun Yang said of his feelings, "I am very emotional and calm. At that time, the first thing I wanted to say was that this efficiency was a bit high, and it really took 10 years to receive it. But the moment I saw the certificate, it would still bring me back to the scene at that time, after all, the London Olympics is a place where the world knows me, and I will be very emotional. This certificate is the best affirmation for me, no matter what bitterness and bitterness there is in this process, it is included in this certificate, it is a recognition for me. ”

Sun Yang also generously talked about his love story with rhythmic gymnast star Zhang Doudou in the interview, "I believe everyone must know about my love affair with Doudou on the Internet. First of all, the two of us have very similar careers, and secondly, she chose to support me without hesitation - the profession of athlete is basically gathering less and separating more, training and competition, and her understanding and support is what attracts me the most. Of course, there is simplicity, straightforwardness, and sincerity. I joked the other day that since I was a child, except for her parents, she was the one who dared to face my problems. I think that's a good thing, but I probably didn't think it was a good thing before. People who love you or like you should speak up to your problems, as she told me, 'I just want you to be nice before I say these things.'" ”

expectation

In the future, a Sun Yang IP will be created

With just over a year left before the Paris Olympics, Sun Yang said of his goals and expectations, "From my heart, it is to do what I should do, I don't need to think too much, I am willing to persevere and work hard, because I still have a belief and a goal in my heart." Do what you have to do, and it will bloom when it should bloom. In the long run, I am not old, and I still have the physical ability, and I can last a few more years. A lot of athletes are role models for me, tennis players and NBA players, like James is 38 years old, right, and he can still play very well. ”

In addition, Sun Yang also said about his life plan: "From my own personal understanding, athletes are only part of life. But this mentality and the spirit of perseverance and not giving up as an athlete may be successful in other industries as well, because the label of doing anything includes perseverance and not giving up. What I have always wanted to show you is a Chinese athlete who never says die, never gives up, and these beliefs have never changed and never disappeared. I will build a Sun Yang IP in the future, and last year I also participated in the Digital Economy Unicorn Summit as a sports person, and learned a lot from many entrepreneurs. ”

Entering

If the results are met, there is still hope to travel to Paris

As things stand, Sun Yang is not without a chance to compete in the Paris Olympics, depending on his specific self-training, and he did not disclose his latest test results in the main distance events. Judging from the ban deadline of May 5 next year, the domestic trials, that is, the national championship usually end before May, and the duration of this event in these years usually starts in April or even the end of March. However, it is not ruled out that the Chinese Swimming Association and the Aquatics Center will arrange a summer standard competition to be held in June, which is precedent in the past, and it is not set up for Sun Yang personally. If the competition can be held, and Sun Yang can achieve the Olympic A standard in the competition, he may still have hope of making it to Paris.

If you can go to Paris to compete, it is also a big event in the international swimming world and even international sports. After all, Sun Yang's influence is still there, 3 Olympic gold medals, 10 world championship gold medals, his achievements and world records cannot be erased. Moreover, since the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Tokyo Olympics, which have not participated in the competition, can span 5 Olympic Games for 16 years, which will be a miracle in the world swimming world, and everything depends on Sun Yang's own efforts.

Text/Reporter Liu Ailin

Photo courtesy of Visual China