Thai Olympian Nuttapong Ketin has been sanctioned with 4 years’ of ineligibility by the Thailand Swimming Association, FINA announced this week.
The 23-year old tested positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol on May 3rd, 2015 and was handed the maximum possible suspension for a first offence under the new, tougher World Anti-Doping Code rules put in place last year.
Ketin earned a bronze medal at the 2012 Asian Swimming Championships in the 200 breaststroke when he swam a 2:15.18. Prior to that, as just a 19-year old, he competed at the 2012 Olympic Games in the 200 breast and 200 IM. He was the country’s only male swimming representative in London.
Ketin was 7th in the 200 breaststroke at the 2014 Asian Games, his last major championship before the positive test, in 2:14.29.
According to FINA, Ketin is currently the 3rd swimmer suspended for a positive test for Clenbuterol, which has a clinical use to treat breathing disorders as a decongestant and bronchodilator. South Korean swimmer Ji Heun Kim and Russian Ivan Suchkov both also tested positive for Clenbuterol.
Suchko was suspended for 1 year in 2015; Kim was suspended for 2 years (then the maximum for a first offense) in 2014.