FINA has confirmed that China reported five (not seven as stated by a Chinese official in Shaoxing) positive doping cases beyond that of the backstroker international Kunpeng Ouyang in 2008. The news will appear in an official publication of the international federation later this week.

The new cases, reported to FINA in February and to the World Anti-Doping Agency "in due time", related to a finding of Clenbuterol (Class S 1.2 Other Anabolic Agents) during a national competition in June, 2008. All five swimmers have been suspended by the Chinese Swimming Association. The list, sent to SwimNews by FINA to clarify the situation, is as follows:

• 1) QU JING: 2 years suspension from 25 jun 2008 ; Coach Wang Hao: 1 year suspension from 25 jun 2008
• 2) LIU BINGYAO; 2 years suspension from 25 jun 2008; coach Li Jiamei: 1 year suspension from 25 jun 2008
• 3) ZUO ZIQIAO: 2 years suspension from 23 jun 2008; coach Chen Jun: 2 years suspension from 23 jun 2008
• 4) FU BO: 2 years suspension from 24 jun 2008; coach Gao Fei: 2 years suspension from 24 jun 2008
• 5) HU SHAOZHI: 2 years suspension from 25 jun 2008; coach Huang Xin: 1 year suspension from 25 jun 2008

As SwimNews reported, FINA Rule DC 12.1, under which a whole nation may be suspended for 12 months, specifically excludes cases that are reported by national doping agencies. The rule of four applies only to FINA tests.