Bulgaria’s Bogomil Koynashki has been suspended for 4 years after testing positive for Carboxy-THC back in July. The ban began in late October.
Koynashki failed a doping test on July 27 of 2016. The test was administered in-competition during Bulgaria’s National Diving Championships, according to FINA’s release. Koynashki tested positive for THC, which is banned under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s code. THC is considered a “cannabinoid.”
Carboxy-THC is formed in the body after the use of cannabis or marijuana. Koynashki will serve a 4-year sentence of ineligibility. That renders him ineligible for the 2020 Olympic Games, as his ban will run from October 20, 2016 through October 20, 2020.
Cannabinoids are not illegal under WADA code when an athlete is outside of competition, but they are banned at certain levels in-competition.
The full press release from FINA announcing Koynashki’s suspension:
On July 27, 2016, the diver Bogomil Koynashki (BUL) was tested positive to the prohibited substance Carboxy-THC (Class S.8 Cannabinoids) following an in-competition doping control test conducted on the occasion of the National Diving Championships.
The Bulgarian Swimming Federation imposed a sanction of four (4) years’ ineligibility on the athlete starting on October 20, 2016.
AB
Add me to the list of thinking four years is draconian. I can understand why the Bulgarian powers that be want guys clean and sober when they climb 10 meters and dive off a plank but I would have gone with an all caps, strongly worded email.
Park and Sun Yang fail for PED’s and they still swim in the next Olympics and this guy gets 4 years for weed. SMH.
Let’s guess how long phelps would have been banned if he got tested after his bong incident. I’d say a stern warning and a free ticket to Rome for the world champs
This is utter BS! Cannabis use shouldn’t be punished.
Too lenient. If I had my way, he’d be up in front of a firing squad for an offense like this.
utterly ridiculous punishment. hope he appeals and its reduced
So this is what the un named Euro swim team was doing in the woods of Bulgaria a few years back . Phew we thought it was steroids or something .