Popov Misses Drug Test -- May 7, 2004

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 8. RUSSIA's Alexander Popov, the 1992 and 1996 Olympic champion for 50 and 100 meters freestyle, has had a "no-show" for a doping test registered against his name after out-of-competition testers could not locate the swimmer at a place he said he would be earlier this year.

A FINA spokesman said that many of the world's leading swimmers have one no-show against their name and that a penalty is likely to follow only after three no-shows. Since failing to be where he said he would be, Popov has maintained his usual exemplary record and has filed a day-by-day schedule to the governing body.