Banned coach seen at athletics competition
Banned athletics coach Wang Dexian grabbed the spotlight at the just-concluded China Cities Games in Wuhan after being spotted in the stands allegedly instructing several of his former runners.
Wang had his coaching licence permanently revoked two years ago after one of his star pupils, former world championship bronze medallist Sun Yingjie, tested positive for steroids use at the 2005 China National Games. Sun was suspended for two years from competitive running and is expected to resume her career early next year.
But Wang, once also the mentor of reigning women's 10,000-metre Olympic gold medallist Xing Huina, was seen in the stands during the women's 10,000m final using a stopwatch and barking instructions, mainland media reported.
The games, the sixth edition of an Olympic-style event for young athletes, concluded on Saturday and Wang reportedly refused all interview requests. His presence, however, infuriated officials.
Asked whether Wang's high-profile appearance was seen as an act of defiance, Zhao Jian, head of the Chinese Olympic Committee's anti-doping office, said: 'There is no rule prohibiting his appearance in a stadium. But, given the life-time ban, he should have behaved himself in a better manner. Instead, he was apparently adding further disgrace [to the sport].'
Insiders have long speculated that, despite his ban, Wang is still in control of the training regimes of several of his former disciples.
Most are now operating under his wife, Zhu Fengling, a licensed coach registered at the Chinese Track and Field Association.
Either Zhu shares her husband's coaching ability or Wang's presence at the track worked. The men's 10,000m was won by Ren Longyun in a national record, while Zhang Yingying romped home in the women's 10,000m. Both train in Zhu's camp.
