Chinese swimmers have stood up to the scrutiny of repeated doping tests, winning gold medals in a "fair and square" manner during the Paris Olympics, two experts in sports said on Monday.
Speaking with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Daily National sports editor Mike Bako and president of Axis Leisure Management Justin Downes shared their views on the frequent doping tests the Chinese swimmers have been subjected to during the Games, and the team's gold-winning performance in the men's 100-meter freestyle and in the men's 4x100 meters swimming medley.
Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle broke the world record to win an Olympic gold in men's 100-meter freestyle last Wednesday. And on Sunday, Pan led his three teammates to victory in the men's 4x100 meters swimming medley, ending the United States' 64-year unbeaten run in the event.
The victories came as doubts about doping have overshadowed the Chinese swimming team, despite the athletes' repeated clean test results.
According to World Aquatics, swimming's governing body, anti-doping organizations tested each Chinese swimmer an average of 21 times since Jan. 1. The number was significantly higher compared to the average of six times for American and four times for Australian swimmers.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has also reviewed the Chinese athletes' case and found no evidence to dispute a previous contamination scenario related to the Chinese team.
Bako said the unfair accusations aim to stigmatize the Chinese swimming team, which is among the world's most dominant.
"There is this stigma that is there. Even though they are the most tested, even though there have been Olympic officials that have come out and said that, 'Yes, they are the most tested. Yes, there is no red flags. Yes, there are no positives yet.' But still, when it comes on this stage at the most prestigious of races, whether it be the 100 meters or certainly from a team perspective, the 4x100, when the race that has the most scrutiny is won by someone in such dominating fashion and such historic fashion, that's where all of the emphasis is going to be and that's where it is right now. Certainly, the spotlight shines the brightest, but if there are no positive tests to come of this, then of course they get the headlines and they get the glory," he said.
Downes expressed his confidence in WADA's credibility and impartiality, and believes the Chinese Olympic swimmers follow the rules in competition.
"I think WADA is a robust, long-serving association. I mean, this is their sole job is to protect athletes and protect the sport from any indiscretion. So, I think, no one wants to lose and I think everybody wants to find fault in the system, to prove that they're better. I hope that's not really the case. But I have to believe that WADA is at no fault. Maybe they need to upscale their testing mechanisms in the future. I don't believe that's the case because they've been doing this for so long. So, I think I truly believe that the Chinese team is clean. They won these events and are wining these events fair and square. I think they're competing on the same platform and playing field as every other athlete at these Games. China is becoming a powerhouse in the world of sport and obviously in the world of swimming. And this is new, and this is scary for the dominating nations," he said.
Chinese swimmers' Olympic win "fair and square": experts
A potential trade deal between United States and China, the world's two largest economies, could benefit not only the two sides but also the global economy as a whole, said renowned British entrepreneur Martin Sorrell on Tuesday.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sideline of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sorrell, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the digital advertising and marketing services provider S4 Capital, shared his perspective on the evolving global economic landscape.
He said that the world is facing slower economic growth and highlighted the U.S. and China as key players for driving global economic expansion.
"You look at the world in a different way. You focus on where the growth is. So where's the growth going to be? The U.S. is going to be strong. The U.S. economy, S and P 500 Earnings this year will be up 11 percent, that's the forecast; next year, 7 percent. That's the biggest determinant of advertising growth is corporate profitability be strong, so the U.S. will be strong. Asia, very strong. If you're big in China, like Apple or Tesla, or indeed LV, you want to be bigger; If you are small in China or underweight, you probably want to be bigger. So with that one caveat, China is obviously remains really important," said Sorrell.
Donald Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, has repeatedly vowed to implement additional tariffs on a broad range of trading partners, including China.
Noting that the combined GDP of the U.S. and China has reached 46 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for over 40 percent of the global total of 106 trillion U.S. dollars, Sorrell suggested that Trump's business instincts could lead him to negotiate a trade deal with China, benefiting both countries and the global economy.
"The U.S. is 28 trillion [U.S. dollars]; China, 18 trillion out of 106 [trillion], so 46 [trillion], by far the biggest part of the world economy. I think Europe is about 18 [trillion] as a whole, but no individual countries like this. So that's the most important issue. There seems to be a bit of delay in relation in considering Chinese tariffs, may be going first on Canada and Mexico rather than China. So maybe we'll see, maybe there is the hope of a deal. And I hope there will be a deal, because I think it will be good for the world, and for obviously, for both economists, they would if it happens. President Trump wrote the book, the Art of the Deal, and he's a negotiator, and he wants to do the best financially for America, and financially for America maybe a deal with China in trade is the best thing," he said.
In terms of China's economic outlook, Sorrell said he expects the Chinese economy to strengthen, adding that he thinks China will shift its trade policy to focus more on the markets that take up nearly 60 percent of the global GDP.
"My view is that it is a multipolar world. And the Americans, I can say this as British, the Americans and indeed the British have got to understand that the plates are shifting, that the Global South, the BRICS, the Next 11 are becoming more important. I look forward to a world which will be not dominated by the West, the hegemonic West, or the U.S., but more balanced and more nuanced. And I think that's what we have to get used to. I expect the Chinese economy to strengthen. China was going to alter its trade policy to emphasize that 60 trillion that is outside China and the U.S. I said it was 46 [trillion]. the world is 106. So there's 60 trillion of GDP in Latin America, in Africa, in Europe, in Asia Pacific that China can develop," said Sorrell.
Potential China-US trade deal could benefit world economy: British entrepreneur