CHANGCHUN, Jilin Province, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A reported doping offence that questioned a speed skater's qualification has proved false on Wednesday, the first competition day of the 12th National Winter Games of China.

An anonymous source told the Chinese version of Yahoo! website on Wednesday evening that hosts Changchun team's speed skater Sun Longjiang was tested positive for clenbuterol in 2011 and thus should not be eligible for competing at the Games.

"We have been aware of Sun's positive result from his sample A urine taken last January during the national speed skating series," said Zhao Jian, spokesman for China's anti-doping center. "The athlete has been later cleared as he didn't intend to use performance-enhancing substance."

Sun, the defending men's all-around champion, was verified to have eaten contaminated food for the positive test.

"According to the related articles of World Anti-Doping Agency and regulations of the State General Administration of Sports, Sun was exempted from punishment," Zhao said.

Related Story

• China's Sheng Lihao wins 2nd Paris Olympic gold with men's 10m air rifle victory(08-29 19:31)
• Olympics | Day 13: Chinese diver defends Olympic title, weightlifting debutant claims gold(08-09 16:50)
• Olympics | Chinese weightlifters Hou, Li retain gold at Paris 2024(08-08 14:26)
• Olympics | Day 12: Chinese weightlifters retain Olympic golds, artistic swimming team make history(08-08 14:23)
• Olympics | Chinese diver Quan defends women's 10m platform title at Paris Games(08-07 22:37)