Sun Yang
Sun Yang is a Chinese Olympic and world-record-holding competitive swimmer, widely known as the most successful Chinese swimmer in history.
Swimmer
December 1, 1991
33
Chinese swimmer Sun Yang, who has had a controversial career, has been ranked #43 on the ESPN World Fame 100 list. As the most accomplished Chinese swimmer in history, Sun Yang holds numerous world, Asian, Olympic, and national records. In 2012, he became the first Chinese athlete to win an Olympic swimming gold medal. However, his career has been marred by multiple doping allegations and conflicts with other swimmers and officials at international events. In 2021, his eight-year suspension from swimming was reduced to four years, effectively ending his chances of participating in the Tokyo Olympics.