Athlete to return from doping suspension

BEIJING, Dec. 25 -- Chinese former female marathon top gun Sun Yingjie will return to track at the Xiamen International Marathon after completing a two-year ban for doping.

Website sina.com reported the athlete has confirmed her participation in the competition in January, according to the event's organizers.

Sun is eager for her first race in more than two years. She is undergoing physical training in Kunming, Coach Tao Shaoming said, acknowledging that the athlete's current level of conditioning is far behind the level eligible to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Sun postponed her comeback earlier this year at the Beijing International Marathon, where she had previously built her reputation, due to lack of physical fitness.

The athlete, who once ruled long-distance races in China, tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug at the 10th National Games in 2005. The offence led to a two-year suspension handed down by the national athletic watchdog organization.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)