This article is more than 10 months old

This article is more than 10 months old

One of Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang’s drug testers was a construction worker with no anti-doping training or experience, according to fresh claims.

The controversial Chinese star has been appearing before a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in Geneva after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed a Fina decision not to sanction him for his part in smashing a vial of blood during a test at his home in 2018.

He faces a potential ban of up to eight years, which would rule him out of next year’s Tokyo Olympics if he loses the case after serving a suspension in 2014 for taking the stimulant trimetazidine.

Translation problems mar Sun Yang's hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport Read more

Sun has already told the hearing three officials who turned up to conduct the out-of-competition test in September last year could not prove their identity. Wada has denied that claim and the Cas panel has retired to consider its findings.

Now, however, according to the Sydney Morning Herald citing Chinese state media, reports have surfaced that one of Sun’s testers was a builder with no anti-doping qualifications and only at the scene to help a friend.

He is also said to have admitted taking photos and videos of Sun. They were later deleted but are strictly forbidden for chaperones during testing missions.

“I knew nothing about the doping test and nothing about my role that night. I just came to help my middle school classmate at her request. I am a builder,” the man was quoted as saying by state media outlet Xinhua.

“I am a builder and I am always busy at work, day and night. No one ever trained me about the doping test and it is unnecessary for me to undertake such training.”

The report claims Sun challenged the alleged ring-in tester to produce his credentials and when he could not, demanded that he leave.

Sun won two golds at the 2012 Olympics and another in 2016, and the case has attracted huge interest in his homeland.

Fina found the 27-year-old questioned the credentials of testers before members of his entourage smashed the blood sample vials with a hammer. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Sun competed at this year’s world championships in South Korea under the shadow of the appeal and rivals, including Australian star Mack Horton, snubbed him after races.