A heated controversy has erupted following the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships 2025, where young Chinese swimmer Yang Peiqi has accused her American rival, Rylee Erisman, of cheating to secure victory over the Chinese team. The allegations have sparked outrage, but a sharp 10-word rebuttal from U.S. Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps has left Peiqi speechless.
The drama unfolded after the highly competitive 4x100m freestyle relay, where Erisman’s stellar performance helped the U.S. team edge out China by a narrow margin. Peiqi, who was named Female Swimmer of the Meet for her gold in the 400m freestyle, claimed in a post-race interview that Erisman’s record-breaking 52.79-second swim in the 100m freestyle was suspicious. “We were the stronger team, but something wasn’t right,” Peiqi said. “Her times don’t add up without help.” The accusation suggests possible rule violations, though no concrete evidence has been presented to World Aquatics officials as of yet.
The U.S. team, led by Erisman’s standout performances, dominated the championships, clinching multiple golds, including the relay where Peiqi’s team fell short. Erisman, who also won the 50m freestyle, has denied the allegations, calling them “baseless and disappointing.” Her coach echoed the sentiment, stating, “Rylee’s success comes from hard work and talent, nothing more.”
The situation escalated when Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time and former U.S. swimming team leader, stepped in to defend his country’s athletes. In a brief but powerful statement released this morning, Phelps said, “Prove it, or stop the baseless accusations now.” The 10-word response, delivered with characteristic calm, silenced Peiqi and her supporters, who have yet to provide evidence to back up the claims.
World Aquatics has launched a preliminary review of the race footage and Erisman’s performance data, but officials have cautioned against jumping to conclusions. “We take all allegations seriously, but we need facts, not speculation,” a spokesperson said. The governing body is expected to release a statement within 48 hours.
The controversy has divided fans online, with #JusticeForPeiqi trending alongside #SupportErisman. Chinese swimming authorities have remained silent, while the U.S. team continues to celebrate their championship success. As the swimming world watches, the outcome of this investigation could have lasting implications for the sport’s integrity and the young athletes involved.
For now, Phelps’ succinct defense stands as a bold statement, leaving Peiqi’s accusations hanging in the balance. The swimming community awaits further developments as the 2025 season progresses.
