Russia: swimming body at risk over doping

Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko says the Russian Swimming Federation is one of "several" Russian sports bodies at risk of suspension over doping scandals.

Swimmers dive during the FINA Swimming World Cup in Moscow

The Russian Swimming Federation is at risk of suspension after a series of positive doping tests. (AAP)

Russia is at risk of being suspended from international swimming competition following a series of positive doping tests, the country's sports minister says.

Last month, world record-holder Yuliya Efimova was banned for 16 months after testing positive for a banned steroid.

Two other Russians are serving suspensions after failing drug tests and at least five were banned last year, mostly for domestic violations.

The cases come as Russia prepares to host next year's world swimming championships in Kazan.

"The number of breaches of anti-doping rules in the international arena is on the brink," Vitaly Mutko told Russian media on Monday.

"One or two more breaches and the federation could be suspended altogether."

Mutko said the Russian Swimming Federation is one of "several" Russian sports bodies at risk of suspension over doping scandals. He did not name any others.

According to the statutes of swimming's world governing body FINA, a member federation receives a two-year ban if four of its competitors in the same discipline commit doping offences within 12 months, with certain exemptions.

FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu said that Russia is not currently in that category.

"I will not further comment on this possibility," he said.

Marculescu said that he and FINA remained "fully confident" in Russia's ability to host the world championships.

Two Russian swimmers are currently awaiting verdicts in their own doping cases in international competition.

Sergei Makov tested positive for the banned muscle-building substance ostarine at a World Cup event in Moscow in October.

Vitalii Melnikov tested positive for the blood-boosting hormone EPO at last year's European short course championships in December.


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Source: AAP


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