U.S. Swim Chief Confronts Chinese With Drug Claims

Dennis Pursley, U.S Swimming’s national team director, confronted China’s national coach Friday with allegations that the use of banned substances is responsible for the startling success of the Chinese women.

“The whole issue kind of makes me sick to my stomach,” Pursley said after meeting with China’s Chen Yunpen.

The Chinese women have won seven of the first 10 events during this week’s World Championships, including Friday’s 100-meter butterfly, and officials from Australia, Canada, France and Sweden have called upon the international swimming federation, FINA, to establish stricter anti-drug measures.

Liu Limin finished first in the 100 butterfly in 58.98 seconds, breaking American Mary T. Meagher’s 12-year-old meet record of 59.41.

Australian Samantha Riley won the other women’s final Friday night, the 100 breaststroke, swimming a world-record time of 1:07.69.

In a men’s final, Australian Kieren Perkins, set a world record in the 400 freestyle with a time of 3:43.80.

Riley and Germany’s Franziska van Almsick are the only non-Chinese women with gold medals.

“I have a great deal of respect for the Chinese athletes and their coaches but there is no question the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming that they have an added advantage through drugs,” Pursley said.

Of his meeting with Chen, Pursley said, “It was a very painful conversation. I wanted to face-to-face share my thoughts and concerns. I’ve had a lot of respect for him as a coach and a person and still do.”

Asked about Chen’s reaction, Pursley said, “He had pretty much the same response that you’ve read and heard many times before. If he was angry, he didn’t show it.”