Opinion | Su Bingtian 9.91 sprinting success smacks more of US influence than doping – but can China do it on their own?
A purple patch sees the national record fall twice in a week but while many fans are quick to mention drug use, American influence seems a more likely answer
Sprinting in China has been in perhaps its biggest ever purple patch over the last fortnight, with the national record for the men’s 100m-sprint falling twice within the space of a week.
As people stand up and take notice after Su Bingtian lowered the country’s best to 9.91 seconds, the inevitable questions have been raised that come with just about any individual sporting success these days.
What drugs are they on and why haven’t they been caught?
Unfortunately, a history of doping in sport – a history China has played a big role in – has left many too jaded to believe. With something like the men’s 100m, that scepticism goes up another gear or two.
If something’s too good to be true, then it is, and then some when it comes to athletics.
But there just might be another completely logical answer to the sudden spike in times in China – American influence.