Agnes Kovacs Checks Out of Beijing Olympics

BUDAPEST, Hungary, January 9. AGNES Kovacs, an Olympic gold medalist for Hungary at the 2000 Sydney Games in the 200 breast, has chosen not to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, according to reports by MTI.

Late last year, Kovacs dealt with a doping test brouhaha during an out-of-competition test, but was later cleared of any wrongdoing by both the Hungarian Olympic Committee and FINA.

Kovacs initially had been under suspicion of doping after giving an inadequate sample on Oct. 30. Kovacs, however, had a prior commitment when the surprise test occurred. Hungarian anti-doping officials at the time did not assign someone to go with Kovacs and wait until she had the time to provide a proper sample. Later, Kovacs provided a negative test on November 8.

That time period ultimately led Kovacs to the decision that she would not pursue a spot in Beijing.

"This affair has influenced my decision," Kovacs told MTI. "If it had not happened, I would have had sufficient strength to continue training for the Beijing Olympics."

Kovacs, however, will continue to swim at least up until the Hungarian Championships in July.

Full text of MTI report.

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