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3 Russian swimmers test positive

Dec 2, 1997

Three Russian swimmers Vladimir Pyshnenko, Natalia Mesheryakova and Olga Kochetkova have tested positive for (metandienone) an anabolic steroid. According to reports the positive tests were discovered in samples taken from the swimmers after a routine workout in October. Verification tests also revealed traces of furesemide, a masking agent.

Vladimir Pyshnenko was 6th in the 200 Freestyle at the European Championships and member of the winning Russian Olympic 4x200 relay in Barcelona. He is currently ranked 17th in the world in the 200 freestyle and 43rd in the 100 freestyle.

His wife Natalia Mesheryakova was the 50 meters champion at this summer's European Championships in Seville and the second place finisher at the 1994 World Championships in Rome. Natalia is currently ranked 14th in the 100 freestyle and 5th in the 50 freestyle.

Olga Kochetkova ranked 17th in the world this year was fourth in the 100 backstroke at the European Championships.

Gennady Aleshin the president of the Russian swimming federation and Vice-President of the Russian Olympic federation immediately excluded the 3 from participating on the Russian team to the World Championships in Perth.
He also confirmed that this sanction will be kept regardless of the decision of the International Federation.

The Russian selections for the World Championships in Perth will be announced in the next day or two.

Special thanks on this report to Jorge E. Aguado