BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. WADA astonished by "politically motivated" allegations against Chinese swimmers
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on April 20 that it is astonished by "politically motivated" allegations against the Chinese swimmers.
In a statement, WADA said the CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, made the "outrageous, completely false and defamatory" remarks and very serious accusations against WADA in connection with the case of 23 swimmers from China.
WADA then said in a statement on April 21 that it stood firmly by the results of its scientific investigation and legal decision concerning Chinese swimmers.
Following some misleading and potentially defamatory media coverage, China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) on April 20 criticized recent reports about Chinese swimmers as "misleading", and CHINADA confirmed on April 26 that they will actively cooperate with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in the coming regular compliance review and provide assistance where needed.
2. China's Wang Shun qualifies for fourth Olympics
Olympic champion Wang Shun won the men's 200m medley title at China's national swimming championships in Shenzhen on April 25, securing a ticket for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The 30-year-old led all the way to win the race in one minute and 55.35 seconds, surpassing the Olympic qualifying time.
3. Belgian Heynen named head coach of China men's volleyball team
The China Volleyball Association announced on April 25 that Vital Heynen of Belgium has been named head coach of China's men's volleyball team.
Heynen, born in 1969, was a former captain and setter of the Belgian men's volleyball team. In his coaching career, he led Germany's men's team to fifth place at the London Olympics and the bronze medal at the 2014 World Championship.
4. China's Yang Junxuan sets national record in women's 100m freestyle
Yang Junxuan set a national record to win the women's 100m freestyle in China's national swimming championships in Shenzhen on April 23.
Yang claimed the gold medal in 52.68 seconds, breaking the previous record of 52.90 which was set in 2020 by Olympic champion Zhang Yufei.
5. Gong claims shot put title at Xiamen Diamond League
Gong Lijiao took the women's shot put victory at the opening meeting of the 2024 Diamond League in Xiamen on April 20. 35-year-old Gong achieved a season's best of 19.72m on her second attempt to take the leading position and bowed out with a 19.61m to wrap up the victory.
Elsewhere in the Xiamen leg, another local favorite Feng Bin failed to defend her title in women's discus, settling for third place with 67.07m.■
