Chinese swimming star Sun Yang, who last year was sentenced to an eight-year suspension, which was later lifted, has received new hope of participating in the Olympics.

This after the Chinese Swimming Federation announced that reigning world champions will have the right to compete in Tokyo.

The announcement comes as Sun Yang prepares for a new round in the Sports Arbitration Court Cas.

The multiple Olympic and gold medalist received his doping suspension from Cas in February last year - a verdict he appealed.

And in December, the eight-year suspension was lifted after a Swiss court questioned the neutrality of Franco Frattinis, chairman of the Cas panel that sentenced Sun Yang.

The matter will now be taken up again on May 24-28, just two months before the Olympics, with a completely new Cas panel.

Bodyguard smashed doping test with hammer

Yang won the World Cup gold in the 200 and 400 meters freestyle last time in South Korea and would thus be eligible to participate in the Olympics based on the requirements of the Chinese Federation.

The reason for the previous eight-year suspension is that Yang during a home visit from the anti-doping agency Wada's doping controllers 2018 must have refused to submit blood and urine samples.

He must then question the inspectors' ID documents and doping protocols.

After that, Yang's bodyguards allegedly smashed a doping test, which he still gave, with a hammer.

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Sun Yang is free to compete again Photo: Bildbyrån