Chinese officials defend Sun's three-month ban

China's Sun Yang competes in the men's 1500m freestyle final swimming competition at the Munhak Park Tae-hwan Aquatics Center during the 17th Asian Games in Incheon September 26, 2014. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

(Reuters) - The Chinese Swimming Association (CSA) has defended the three-month ban handed out to world and Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang for a doping offence.

The CSA released a statement on Tuesday saying it believed Sun had made a mistake but never intended to cheat.