Asia

Sierens China: Doped to the world record

After twenty years, it turned out that China’s former distance runner for Scotland Wang Junxia doped. In Weltleichtathletikverband however, there is hardly any time to worry about it, says DW columnist Frank Umbrella.

Ex-Olympic Champion Wang Junxia

Training hard, dried seahorses in powder form and Schildkrötenblut – the were according to the coach, Ma Junren the secrets behind the world records, the Chinese Starläuferin Wang Junxia. In 1993, ran Wang at the world Championships in Stuttgart, not only to 10,000 metres, but also on the 3000 meters world record. It was this record from the Nothing suspicious. Now appears an over twenty-year-old letter, in which Wang laments: I was Doping forced. You and the other runners were from her coach Ma had been forced into, large quantities of illegal substances to take, it is said in the Letter.

Ma at that time was already infamous for his tough crackdown. The Chinese runners, the Mas pills are simply thrown away had, he had not only beaten, but also the doping substances, under pressure, even self-injected. “We are humans and not animals,” it says in the letter. The athletes were also concerned with the Doping of the reputation of your country to damage. The world governing body for athletics (IAAF) announced now on, together with China’s Association of the letter on its authenticity check.

Chinese athletes: guiltily

So China has a doping scandal, the the of the “Team Telekom” in German Cycling, the 1990s equivalent. However, with three Differences: Unlike Wang and her colleagues felt in Germany at the time, no cyclist of his Conscience so tormented that he himself of his Worries in the Form of a letter of the soul had to write – with the risk that the letter one day blows up, and the state and party are angry. Rather, cleaned up all drivers their error is only on external pressure, and only a decade later. Unlike the Chinese athletes is in the West of Germany, no case is known in which an athlete for Doping, was forced. And unlike in China, the state has no role in the doping cases.

DW-columnist Frank Umbrella

The Interesting thing about this letter is, however, the Knowledge of the athletes, that it is wrong to be doped. Of the American Lance Armstrong, German Jan Ullrich or the Dane Bjarne Riis, there are no such Statements. Repentance is put first, as the deeds flew up. “I regret it deeply,” said Riis in the autumn of 2015. He had already in 1996 doped the Tour de France-victory for the Team Telekom brought. Also, the Cycling Federation, the UCI went with his behaviour, is relatively relaxed. He recognized him the title, but not because of Doping after eight years, barred.

Other world records doubtful

Also the Weltleichtathletikverband IAAF is the confession of Wang not to use, in order to make a clean sweep. Because that would be only if you in front of your own doorstep returned. The American Florence Griffith-Joyner holds since 1988 until today, current world record in the 100 meters for women. Also you stand under Dopingverdacht. Ten years later, suffocated with only 38 years of age with an epileptic seizure. It could be never clarified whether steroids as cause of death with in the game.

Already at the turn of the Millennium was, therefore, the then German IAAF Vice-President, a wise proposal: We should all allegedly poisoned records as Jahrhundertrekorde ad acta put, and in the year 2000 restart. But the Americans were against it, would have but their Medaillenstatistik sensitive affected. It is amazing that this clever proposal has not succeeded. Obviously this was already too much guilt. Meanwhile, the Federation is in its own sump so have become submerged in Monaco hardly has time to deal with the case in China. In addition to Adidas, also wants the food company Nestlé due to allegations of corruption at the IAAF itself as the Sponsor withdraw.

China is a case of many

Hard under pressure since this week, Papa Diack, in spite of the first name of the son of Lamine Diack, from 1999 to 2015 IAAF President was. Both will now blackmail accused. So should athletes have offered, against payment of positive Tests disappear. His son, so dad is currently in use by Interpol sought. If interested parties in Beijing have an interest to make a clean sweep, by the publication of the letter allow, then, the Timing was perfect. The hut is burning so much that no one around the small flame in China can take care of.

Our correspondent Frank Umbrella lives since over 20 years ago in Beijing.