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Sun Yang CAS appeal cost Wada over US$600,000: report

  • World Anti-Doping Agency reveal spending on successful case against Chinese swimmer in annual report
  • China was biggest extra contributor to the body, giving US$993,000 in additional funding in 2019

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Chinese swimmer Sun Yang poses after a public hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for the appeal filed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) against him and the FINA in November, 2019. Photo: Reuters
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) spent more than US$600,000 on their successful appeal against Chinese swimmer Sun Yang and swimming governing body Fina, their annual report has revealed.
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“A number of high-profile anti-doping cases also required additional resources. Wada’s successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] in the case of swimmer Sun Yang was a particularly significant one with more than USD600,000 invested,” the report read.

Wada took Sun and Fina to the CAS over a controversial 2018 doping test and the ruling from Fina, via an independent panel, that the swimmer had done no wrong.

The appeal eventually took place in November 2019 with a ruling coming in February this year. Sun was banned for eight years by CAS, effectively ending his career and denying his hopes of a fourth Olympics appearance and fourth Olympic gold.

Sun has filed two appeals with the Swiss Federal Tribunal, which can overrule CAS based on legal protocol, though no news has come from the tribunal.

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