Investigation Intensifies: Training Base Director Accused of Multiple Abuses, Including Extortion and Misconduct

On January 10 (Beijing time), Asian Games triple-gold medalist Wang Li released a new statement alleging serious misconduct by a director at the Yunnan Songmao Sports Training Base, reinforcing claims she has previously submitted to relevant authorities.

Wang Li is an athlete on the base’s canoeing/kayaking team. At the 2023 Asian Games, she won three gold medals in women’s dragon boat straight-line sprint events—200m, 500m, and 1000m—becoming Yunnan’s first athlete to achieve an Asian Games “triple gold” milestone.

According to Wang Li’s repeated reports, her allegations against the director include financial extortion, followed by what she describes as retaliation and systematic obstruction after she refused. She claims she was subsequently marginalized, barred from training, and prevented from participating in normal team preparations.

Wang further alleges that false claims were made about her physical condition to justify restricting her training and competition pathway, and that long-term pressure and intimidation severely impacted her mental well-being. She also states that retirement paperwork was submitted in her name without authorization.

In addition, Wang’s statements allege a broader pattern of misconduct within the training base, including physical punishment, coercive disciplinary practices, arbitrary fines, and other violations of professional standards. Her report also includes accusations of inappropriate conduct toward female athletes, alongside claims of improper financial arrangements and the withholding of athlete bonuses.

Wang said she had already provided supporting materials to an investigation team from Yunnan’s provincial disciplinary authorities during an in-person meeting on December 25, and expressed hope that the inquiry would reach a clear conclusion soon.