Sunday, September 13, 2009

FINA REPORTS: No Positive Drug Tests at Wolrd Championships

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (September 13, 2009) FINA, the international federation for swimming, diving and water polo, has reported than no athlete failed a doping test conducted at the recent World Aquatics Championships in Rome.

It has been reported that 391 tests were conducted; including 252 swimmers, 76 water polo players, 33 divers, 30 open water swimmers and 11 competitors in synchronized swimming.

FINA does not store sample for future testing, as do some other international sports federations, but is considering doing so in the future.

The championships saw 43 world records fall during the 19-day championships, mostly due to high tech suits. The suits will be banned at all levels of competitive swimming by the end of the year.

American Michael Phelps and Italy’s Federica Pellegrini were selected as the best male and female swimmers of the championships.

Phelps won five gold and one silver medal, in addition to setting two individual world records in the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter butterfly at the bi annual event.

Pellegrini won two golds and set three world marks in the 200 and 400 freestyle.

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