example-image
Connect with Us:  

Positive Test Fells Brazil's Fabiola Molina

Jun 22, 2011  - Craig Lord

Brazil's backstroke sprinter Fabiola Molina has been forced to withdraw from the world championships in Shanghai next month after receiving a two-month anti-doping ban following a positive test for a banned stimulant.

The 36-year-old tested positive for methylhexaneamine during an event in Rio de Janeiro in April, the Brazilian swimming federation (CBDA) confirmed in a statement. 

The CBDA said it had taken into account "the athlete's history and the fact that it was clear that there was no intention to enhance her performance" and imposed a two-month ban, starting on May 8, the date of her last race. That would allow a July 8 return, in time for Shanghai. However, Molina's ban includes loss of the result that qualified her for world titles.

Methylhexaneamine, commonly found in nasal decongestants of the type that swimmers know not to take, is also found in dietary supplements marketed as having thermogenic or stimulant properties. Elite swimmers know that they have to account for anything that makes it into their blood stream under WADA anti-doping rules.

The substance was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2010 prohibited list and it is classed as an S6 stimulant, prohibited in-competition. Penalties can be anything up to two years. FINA will make a final decision on the length of suspension and can take any challenge before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The suspension means that Molina has lost the qualification time she clocked for selection to the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

In a statement to Brazilian media, Molina said: "I would like to point out, firstly, that the presence of a substance prohibited in the body of an athlete may not be a sign of doping. As strange as that may sound, my case came about because of my carelessness that showed in a random test and not in competition [the argument being that a stimulant would only be of benefit in such circumstances]. In my case, given that there was no intention to improve my performance, I was punished for two months, where I could have received a penalty of between a month and two years."

Molina now aims to mane the World Military Games in Rio her comeback moment on July 17, the day after the opening ceremony in Shanghai.

Her ban is the fourth for a Brazilian swimmer in the past 18 months. 

Other FINA doping cases so far in 2011:

Harrison Jones (USA) 

On February 5, 2011, a diver Harrison Jones (USA) was tested positive to the substance Cannabis (Class S8 Cannabinoids) following a doping control test conducted with the occasion of the USA Diving Winter National Championships in Iowa City, Iowa.

The USA Diving imposed a sanction of 1 year ineligibility on the athlete which began on April 6, 2011, the day of the provisional suspension.

James Stanton (AUS)

On September 15, 2010, a water polo player James Stanton (AUS) was tested positive to the substance Clembuterol (Class S.1.2 Other Anabolic Agents) following an out of competition doping control test.

The Australian Water Polo Inc. imposed a sanction of 2 years’ ineligibility on the athlete which began on October 22, 2010.

Zsolt Lutter (HUN)

On March 4, 2011, a water polo player Zsolt Lutter (HUN) refused to submit to sample collection following an out-of-competition doping control test.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Hungarian Water Polo Federation imposed a sanction of 2 years’ ineligibility on the athlete which began on March 24, 2011.

Adam Maklari (HUN)

On March 4, 2011, a water polo player Adam Maklari (HUN) was tested positive to the substance Methandienone (Class S.1.1 Exogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) following an in-competition doping control test.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Hungarian Water Polo Federation imposed a sanction of 2 years’ ineligibility on the athlete which began on April 27, 2011.

Alex Gabriel Popoviciu (ROU)

On February 6, 2011, a water polo player Alex Gabriel Popoviciu (ROU) was tested positive to the substance Methylhexaneamine (Class S.6 Stimulants) following a doping control test conducted with the occasion of the National Water Polo Championships.

The Romanian Anti-Doping Agency imposed a sanction of 3 months’ ineligibility on the athlete which began on March 4, 2011, the day of a provisional suspension.

Ksenia Atamanskaya (KAZ)

On April 2, 2011, a swimmer Ksenia Atamanskaya (KAZ) was tested positive to the substance Fenoterol (Class S3 Beta-2 Agonists) following a doping control test conducted with the occasion of the Kazakhstan Open Swimming Championships 2011.The Swimming Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan imposed a sanction of 2 years’ ineligibility on the athlete which began on May 10, 2011.

On April 2, 2011, a swimmer Ksenia Atamanskaya (KAZ) was tested positive to the substance Fenoterol (Class S3 Beta-2 Agonists) following a doping control test conducted with the occasion of the Kazakhstan Open Swimming Championships 2011.

The Swimming Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan imposed a sanction of 2 years’ ineligibility on the athlete which began on May 10, 2011.