Splashbacks 2021 – July-Aug.: Ian Thorpe Doping Leak Revealed; Russia Answers Accusations

Splashbacks 2021 – July-Aug.: Ian Thorpe Doping Leak Revealed; Russia Answers Accusations

Swimming World continues to look at 2021 with a breakdown of the most-read articles from July and August, which not surprisingly were led by Olympic-themed storylines. Swimming World set record numbers during the summer months, the action of the Olympic Games grabbing the attention of old and new readers.

Here is a look at the top articles from July and August.

1. Report: Former FINA President Alleged as Leak in Ian Thorpe Scandal

Photo Courtesy: David Gray

At the 2007 World Championships, Australian legend Ian Thorpe was revealed to have produced an adverse analytical sample during a doping test. It was a major story in the sport, and it came to light over the summer that former FINA President Mustapha Larfaoui was the source of the news.

2. Russian Olympic Committee Releases Statement Over Doping Comments

After American backstroker Ryan Murphy noted that he believed doping was present at the Olympics, the Russian Olympic Committee released a sarcastic comment about the allegation. Russia felt the need to respond because Evgeny Rylov was the champion of both backstroke events, and the ROC felt Murphy’s comments were directed at the Russian swimmer.

3. Paralympic Medalist Roy Perkins Slams Becca Meyers’ ‘Nonsense’ Claims

Prior to the start of the Paralympic Games, Becca Meyers announced her withdrawal from the competition due to what she said was a lack of support systems in Tokyo. Following Meyers’ claims, fellow Paralympian Roy Perkins refuted Meyers’ comments and charged that Meyers was selfish and sought special treatment.

4. Where Was Dressel? Seliskar? Lineup Decision Dooms U.S. Men’s Relay

With the United States failing to earn a medal in the 800 freestyle relay at the Tokyo Games, questions arose concerning the coaching staff’s lineup decisions. Among the questions that were posed were the exclusion of Caeleb Dressel from the final, and whether Dressel would have made a difference if given the opportunity.

5. The Con of Michelle Smith: How the Irish Lass Cheated to the Top

Swimming World June 2021- Takeoff To Tokyo - How Irelands Michelle Smith Became A Poster GIrl For Cheating

Photo Courtesy:

From the pages of Swimming World Magazine, this article looked at the doping saga of Ireland’s Michelle Smith, who was a three-time gold medalist at the 1996 Games in Atlanta and saw atypical improvements in her performances over a short period of time. Although she never tested positive in competition, Smith was handed a four-year suspension for tampering with an out-of-competition doping test.

6. Examining Differences In Competition at the Paralympics and Olympics

In an eye-opening feature, some of the specific differences between Paralympic competition and Olympic competition were examined. The article noted the use of “tappers” in Paralympic action, which are tools to notify blind swimmers when they are approaching the wall and need to prepare for their turn.

7. FINA: Alexandr Kudashev, Veronika Andrusenko Suspended for Olympics

Even before the Olympic Games in Tokyo started, there was controversy when a pair of Russian Olympic Committee athletes, Alexandr Kudashev and Veronika Andrusenko, were provisionally suspended from competition due to violations of doping protocols.

8. Lilly King Says Russians Should Not Have Been in Tokyo

Jul 25, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Lilly King (USA) gestures before the women's 100m breaststroke heats during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher — USA Today Sports

Outspoken American breaststroker Lilly King, who has been a leading voice against doping in sports, expressed her opinion about Russia competing at the Tokyo Games. Due to findings of systematic doping in Russia, King didn’t hold back in her assertion that Russian athletes should have been forbidden from competing at the 2020 Olympics.

9. Olympics: Katie Ledecky Shines in Debut of Women’s 1500 Freestyle

The 2020 Olympics marked the first time the 1500 freestyle was included on the program as a women’s event, and it was fitting that the United States’ Katie Ledecky led qualifying in the discipline’s debut. The greatest distance swimmer in history, Ledecky went on to capture the gold medal in dominant fashion.

10. Maddie Groves Says Skipping the Olympics in Protest Was Worth It

When Australian Maddie Groves declared she was bypassing the Olympic Games due to the misogyny she claims is present in the sport, it was a startling announcement. But after the Games, Groves noted that she did not regret her decision and hoped her protest would shed light on the concerns she voiced.

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