Sporting Life

Sun Yang saga is a search for justice in a heated pool

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The swirling controversy over Chinese swimmer Sun Yang involves a search for the moral high ground in sport. As usual no one owns it but everyone thinks they are on it. In sport, everyone is always right.

Nations take offence at a rival's bad behaviour on a field but won't censure their own athletes. Clubs heckle footballing divers but protect those in their colours. Righteousness can be blinding.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 25, 2019, with the headline Sun Yang saga is a search for justice in a heated pool. Subscribe