Chinese Olympic Committee supports Zhang punishment

Zhang Wenxiu of China competes during the women's hammer throw final of athletics at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, Sept 28, 2014. Zhang Wenxiu won the gold medal with 77.33 meters. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese Olympic Committee said it respects the Olympic Council of Asia's decision to punish Chinese hammer thrower Zhang Wenxiu upon her positive doping test and will continue implementing strict anti-doping policy and measures.

"The Chinese delegation was shocked by the fact that Zhang tested positive and will respect the OCA decision on Zhang. COC has urged the Chinese Athletic Association to investigate the case and will release further punishments," said an official statement released by COC on Friday evening.

Factfile: Chinese hammer thrower Zhang Wenxiu Following is the factfile of Chinese hammer thrower Zhang Wenxiu, who was stripped of her Asian Games gold medal after failing a pre-competition drug test. Born: March 22, 1986 Birthplace: Liaoning Province, China 2001: Joined Chinese national athletics team. 2004: Finished 7th at Athens Olympic Games. 2006: Won gold at Doha Asian Games. 2007: Became first Chinese athlete to win a hammer medal at world championships by taking the bronze at Osaka worlds. 2008: Won bronze at Beijing Olympic Games. 2009: Won gold at Chinese National Games. 2011: Won bronze at Daegu World Championships. 2012: Finsihed fourth at London Olympic Games. 2013: Won bronze at Moscow World Championships. Retained champion at Chinese National Games. 2014: Won gold at Incheon Asian Games but tested positive for banned substances Zeranol and its metabolite.                         -- Xinhua

According to an OCA announcement earlier on Friday, Zhang tested positive for zilpaterol, a performance-enhancing substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), in a pre-competition test conducted on Sept 26.

The OCA also stripped Zhang of her Asian Games gold medal – an Asian record distance of 77.33 meters at the final on Sept 28. Another Chinese athlete, Wang Zheng, who finished second with 74.16 meters at the final, was awarded the gold medal, replacing Zhang.

Zilpaterol, a WADA-prohibited substance which is used to increase the size of cattle and the efficiency of feeding, is effective in enhancing athletes' muscle size, strength and endurance in combination with exercise.

It's the first time a Chinese athlete tested positive for banned drugs at major international sporting event since 1994. It was the sixth positive doping case at Incheon Aisad.

Zhang's case rang the alarm again for China's anti-doping efforts and reflected that anti-doping work is a complex and tough quest, which requires all-round education, strict management and severe crackdowns in long run. China will always stick to its "zero-tolerance" attitude towards doping and will impose serious punishments to any doping violation, the statement said.

According to the Chinese Athletic Association, Zhang, who arrived in Incheon on Sept 24, said she was surprised and innocent at a hearing after her urine sample A tested positive on Sept 26. She claimed that she had no subjective motives to use performance-enhancing drugs at the Asiad as she was at a much higher level than her Asian opponents.

Still, athletes have to take full responsibility to any consumption of banned drugs under all conditions, according to the World Anti-Doping Code.

According to COC, the China Anti-Doping Agency implements more than 10,000 doping tests every year. The average positive rate is 0.02 percent in the last 10 years, a figure much lower than the international average of 1 percent.