Why Aussie swimmer Zac Stubblety-Cook could be sanctioned over planned podium protest – as tension increases with China’s world record holder Qin Haiyang

Australian Olympic swimming champion Zac Stubblety-Cook says the anti-doping system has failed, but confirms he will consider appealing if he loses in the pool to a drug-tainted Chinese star.

And if Stubblety-Cook makes his feelings known publicly in Paris, severe sanctions could follow.

Stubblety-Cook, 25, will be looking to defend his Olympic title in the 200m breaststroke at the Paris Olympics against a field that includes Chinese world record holder Qin Haiyang.

Haiyang is one of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive before the Tokyo Olympics but were given the green light to compete three years ago.

International anti-doping authorities accepted China’s explanation that the positive tests were the result of “swimmers eating contaminated food at a team hotel.”

Stubblety-Cook remains disappointed by the revelations about positive drug tests in China.

“I absolutely believe in clean sport and I hope these will be clean Games,” he said.

‘It is of course disappointing to hear that news and to hear that athletes have tested positive before Tokyo 23, some even multiple times.

If Stubblety-Cook makes his feelings known about world record holder Qin Haiyang, he could face a severe penalty

“And for me it was a disappointment to race against someone who was one of those athletes and find out that he was one of those athletes too.

“It’s less about the country they come from and more about the system and how the system ultimately feels like it failed. And that’s the truth.”

Haiyang defeated Stubblety-Cook in the 200-meter breaststroke at last year’s world championships in Japan, when the Chinese swimmer set a world record.

Now-retired Australian swimmer Mack Horton refused to stand on the podium at the 2019 world championships, alongside China’s Sun Yang, who had previously been suspended for drug use.

Stubblety-Cook refused to repeat Horton’s protest at the Paris Olympics.

Rule 50 of the International Olympic Committee gives athletes some freedom to express their opinions on political or social issues, but protests on the podium or on the field of play are prohibited.

“Everyone here is probably aware of Rule 50 and the implications that come with it,” Stubblety-Cook said.

“I think we could potentially see protests at other events as well. “Personally, I think I’ll probably make a decision on the day.

Qin Haiyang and Zac Stubblety-Cook are expected to battle for the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke in Paris

“At the end of the day, I’m a clean athlete and I try to follow the rules. I hope my competitors do the same.”

Stubblety-Cook made the comments after Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said that doping can never be eradicated.

“It is clear that we can never eliminate doping from the world of sport,” Banka told reporters.

“There’s always someone who wants to cheat.”

The 200m breaststroke heats in Paris begin on July 30 (EDT) at the Paris La Défense Arena.