Phillip Whitten

The success of Chinese female athletes in sports such as swimming and track is suspicious and possibly the result of illegal drugs, argues Phillip Whitten in the following viewpoint. Whitten contends that record-breaking performances at the 1997 Chinese National Games are questionable because these women, many of whom were not ranked among the top fifty in their sport, are breaking longstanding records. In addition, Whitten maintains, Chinese swimmers have been more likely to test positive for steroids than athletes from any other nation. Whitten is the editor-in-chief of Swimming World magazine.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What was suspicious about the weight-lifting records set at the 1997 National Games, according to Whitten?
2. According to the author, how many Chinese swimmers have tested positive for steroids since 1991?
3. In Whitten’s view, how does China&rsquo...