A female Chinese swimmer tested positive for drug use, and has been banned from competition for two years and stripped of her three Goodwill Games gold medals, the official Xinhua News Agency reported today.
Ren Xin was one of three Chinese swimmers tested at the Goodwill Games in Russia. The results showed a higher than normal ratio of testosterone and epitestosterone in her urine, the report said.The Chinese Swimming Association investigated and was not satisfied with Ren's explanation, Xinhua said, without saying what the swimmer's explanation was.
Ren will not be allowed to compete in any domestic or international meets for two years, the report said.
Xinhua quoted an unnamed spokesman of the national swimming association as saying it has always tried to fight drug use.
Chinese athletes, particularly its female swimmers, divers and runners, have burst onto the international scene in recent years, breaking records and winning international competitions. Their surprising performance has led to charges of drug use, which Chinese sports officials routinely deny.