FINA issues another defense of Chinese swimmer

China's Ye Shiwen competes in a women's 200-meter individual medley swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

July 30, 2012: China's Ye Shiwen competes in a women's 200-meter individual medley swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. (AP)

The governing body of swimming has come to the defense of Chinese star Ye Shiwen, saying there is "no factual basis" to speculation about possible doping.

FINA felt compelled to issue a statement Wednesday about Ye, a double gold medalist at the London Games.

After the 16-year-old Ye broke the world record in the 400-meter individual medley, the head of an American coaching organization questioned her legitimacy. Ye was peppered with more questions after her victory in the 200 IM and denied that she had ever used banned substances, saying her success was due to hard work.

FINA says Ye has been tested four times in the past year, including twice before her country's Olympic trials this year.