CSA pours cold water on Sun return report

Fans keen to see the return of banned Sun Yang to the pool have had their hopes dashed after the Chinese Swimming Association was forced to deny a report that claimed the three-time Olympic champion could train with the national team.

On Wednesday, Beijing Youth Daily reported that Sun, who in February was banned for eight years for alleged breaches of anti-doping rules, had been permitted to join a Chinese national team training camp in Zhejiang province from April until June.

A photo of a purported official document from the Chinese Swimming Association accompanied the article. It stated that Sun and his coach should report to the Zhejiang Sports Bureau on April 1.