Vitalina Simonova Given 4 Year Suspension for Doping

Photo Courtesy: Maria Dobysheva

Russia’s Vitalina Simonova has been suspended for four years dating back to June 29, 2015. The positive test came as a result of a WADA out-of-competition test completed while at a training trip in Naoussa, Greece.

Simonova tested positive for Testosterone. She was notified of the positive test on November 2, 2015. Four days later Simonova admitted to having “purchased Tesrosterol (sic) 250 by megabol (Poland) in a local athlete’s store” while at the training camp.

In another email on November 16, she wrote, “As I was never intending to use any prohibited substance and/or methods, I do strongly believe that the AAF is a result of purchasing and ingestion of a contaminated nutritional supplement Testosterol by MegaBol (Poland).” She claimed that she told store employees that she was an athlete who needed to comply with anti-doping regulations and the product was recommended.

While the 24 year old acknowledged her mistake and stated that she did not intend to enhance her performance, Simonova’s results and prizes from June 29, 2015 to the present have been annulled.

She holds the Russian Record in the short course meters 200 breaststroke (2:18.03) and as a member of the 400 mixed medley relay. Those results were swum in 2014, so they will still stand.

Read the full FINA decision here.

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Kelley Konkol Zimcosky

7 years ago

To bad she’s not an American politician. Since she didn’t “intend” on enhancing her athletic ability she would not have been found guilty. Am I right?

Pat McAnaney

7 years ago

Reply to Kelley Konkol Zimcosky

Yeah, when George Bush ‘lost’ all those e-mails when Cheney was being investigated, e could claim that he didn’t know what he was doing. There was plenty of evidence of that.

Roxanne Richards

7 years ago

Wow some athletes are banned for life and she gets 4 years.

Tomas Thrainsson

7 years ago

Reply to Roxanne Richards

First offence, standard ban in swimming for first time offenders is 4 years. A repeat invokes a life-time ban

Nick Cittadino

7 years ago

Cheater!!

Jes Isenberg

7 years ago

It’s funny reading this after knowing that Park Tae Hwan is a cheater…that is heading to Rio.