Beisel's coach: Ye didn't cheat

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) -- Elizabeth Beisel's swim coach does not think Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen was cheating when she won gold in the 400-meter individual medley Saturday.

Beisel was favored to win the event, but ended up with silver when Ye shattered the world record and beat the Rhode Island native by almost three seconds. Ye swam the last 50 meters of the race faster than Ryan Lochte did in the men's event.

• Photos: RI's Beisel Wins Silver

Ye's astonishing performance has led to suspicions of doping . However, Beisel's coach said Tuesday that the Olympics often have athletes doing what's never been done before.
 
"I truly would be surprised if this young woman [Ye] is cheating," said Chuck Batchelor, who had just returned from London. "I feel pretty comfortable that this was a fair race."

See the full comments about Ye plus how Batchelor coached the young Olympian as she grew up in the video player above.

Batchelor said it would be tough to cheat, since all Olympic athletes must submit to rigorous drug testing. He said Beisel was tested 400 to 500 times prior to the London games.

"It is possible there are things out there that have not yet been tested for," Batchelor said. "I'm biased and maybe naive, but I really believe that swimming is clean."

The International Olympic Committee has come to Ye's defense, saying she passed a drug test after winning the medal.

Other factors may have affected the outcome of the race, according to Batchelor. He said Beisel was nervous before the event.

"I think that showed in the beginning of the race. Her butterfly did not look the way I wanted it to look," he said.

Batchelor said Ye also had a height advantage, as well as a training program at home with relaxed school requirements and easy access to a training pool.