LONDON – China’s top official newspaper has waded into the furore over comments suggesting Olympics swimming sensation Ye Shiwen might have benefited from doping, saying that the unfounded suspicions showed ignorance and “deep-seated prejudice”.Chinese sports officials, Ye’s father and the 16-year old swimmer herself have all vehemently denied the doping concerns, which some observers raised after her world record performance in the 400 metres medley on Saturday.Now the People’s Daily, the main mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, has added its weight to the angry rebuttals and suggested that suspicions over Ye’s two gold medals in London reflected broader Western ill-will towards the country’s achievements and rising strength.“This is not the first time that certain Western media have voice unfounded suspicions about the outstanding performance of Chinese athletes. Deep-seated prejudice has led them into blind ignorance,” a commentary in the paper said on Thursday.“Naysaying by a handful of people will not ruin China’s image and nor will it hold back China’s advancement,” it added.
