Career
Wu set the world record in a time of 2:09.72 in Shanghai at China"s National Games in October 1997. She also placed 2nd in the 400 IM in a strong 4:41.20. Much like most of her teammates, however, she eventually failed at the Atlanta Games, failing to qualify for the finals of both medley events.
In fact, her 200 IM time was over 1 second faster than Michelle Smith"s winning time in Atlanta (2:1393), and ranked first globally for 1996.
She also competed in the 1999 Short Course Worlds in Hong Kong but did not medal. Soon it was confirmed that she failed to dope test following the Trials in Jinan, and she was banned for four years by the Chinese authorities.
An anabolic steroid was found in her system. The 22-year-old denied taking drugs but was immediately dropped by China"s Olympic Team preparing for 2000 Summer Olympics that September, and was fined $964 by the Chinese Swimming Association.
Her coach Wu Jicai was given a $482 fine and banned for one year.
Consequently, Wu Yanyan"s world record, which stood for over 10.5 years, is considered a tainted one. The American Katie Hoff, who specialises in the individual medley, stated that erasing the record is "my one and only goal". Eventually, it was Australian Stephanie Rice who lowered Wu"s record to 2:08.92 on March 25, 2008 at the 2008 Australian Swimming Championships.
Hoff bettered the World mark later that same year, at the United States of America Olympic Trials.