China's triple Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang vowed to appeal on Friday after he received an eight-year ban for refusing to give a doping sample, saying he was "shocked" and "angry".
"This is unfair. I firmly believe in my innocence," Sun told China's Xinhua news agency soon after the judgement by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"I will definitely appeal to let more people know the truth."
"I believe in my innocence! Believe in the truth and defeat the lie!"
Thanking China's sports authorities and his supporters -- he is hugely popular in China -- Sun said: "I will fight to the end to defend my legitimate rights and interests!"