Wu set the world record in a time of 2:09.72 in Shanghai at China's National Games in October 1997.

Wu's performance improved suddenly at the national championships (also serving at China's Olympic Trials) in Jinan City in May 2000, where she won the 200 IM in 2:14.02 (third in the world at that time), thereby leading to growing suspicions that she was involved in doping.

Soon it was confirmed that she failed to dope test following the Trials in Jinan, and she was banned for four years by the Chinese authorities.

Consequently, Wu Yanyan's world record, which stood for over 10.5 years, is considered a tainted one.

The American Katie Hoff, who specialises in the individual medley, stated that erasing the record is "my one and only goal".