U.S. Synchro Swimmer Refuses Drug Test, Is Banned for Two Years -- March 6, 2004

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 5. AMERICAN synchronized swimmer Mary Hofer was handed a two-year ban today by FINA, swimming's international governing body, for refusing to take an out of competition doping test.

Hofer declined to undergo a test by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on January 20.

The suspension began on March 3 but the 24-year-old swimmer formally retired from the sport subsequent to her refusal to test.