LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 7. OVER the past two days, FINA has announced a pair of doping suspensions in swimming.
Yesterday, Russian swimmer Nikita Leviakov was retroactively suspended for two years starting from Dec. 25, 2009. The suspension was imposed by Russia's Swimming Federation. Leviakov tested positive for Stanozolol and Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone metabolites, which are anabolic agents classified as an S1 violation. The positive test occurred on Dec. 17, 2009 during the National Junior Swimming Championships held in Perm, Russia.
Meanwhile, FINA also announced a six-month suspension given to Chinese swimmer Wei Kun by China's Swimming Association, retroactive to Sep. 24, 2009. Wei tested positive for Formoterol, which is an asthma medication, during an out-of-competition test on Sept. 7, 2009. Formoterol is classified as a Class S3 violation, but can actually be used with a Therapeutic Use Exemption for asthmatic athletes.