US Swimmer Kristen Lewis Receives Warning from U.S. Anti-Doping Agency; Took Over-the-Counter Cold Medicine

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 18. THE United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Tuesday that swimmer Kristen Lewis of Moraga, Calif. tested positive for pseudoephedrine at the USA Swimming Grand Prix meet in Ann Arbor, Mich. on May 18, 2003.

Pseudoephedrine is a prohibited substance under the rules of FINA, the international governing body for the sport of swimming.

Pseudoephedrine is in a special category of prohibited substances in that it is commonly found in over-the-counter cold and prescription cold and allergy medicines.

Lewis, 21, received the minimum sanction recommended by USADA under the FINA rules for a first offense involving the prohibited use of pseudoephedrine. She was issued a public warning and was disqualified from her sixth-place finish in the 200-meter butterfly at the Ann Arbor meet. USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport in the United States, will carry out the sanction.

"After suffering from severe cold symptoms and a fever, I took an over-the-counter cold medicine which I did not know contained a prohibited substance," said Lewis. "I did not realize there is a difference between the collegiate and Olympic lists of prohibited substances. Now, I have a better understanding of those differences. All athletes should make sure they are familiar with the list of prohibited substances for the levels at which they compete."

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