On October 27th, 2012, Polish swimmer Paula Zukowska tested positive for the banned substance methylhexaneamine at the National Grand Prix in Krakow, Poland.
FINA has just announced today that she has been handed a one year ban, partially due to a lengthy discussion between the sport’s global governing body and the national one in Poland.
The Polish Swimming Disciplinary Commission initially handed Zukowska a 6 month ban, to begin on November 20, 2012, but FINA appealed the case to the Board of the Polish Swimming Federation.
That Federation then increased the sanction to one year, beginning on the same date.
Zukowska was a promising young talent for Poland, especially in the distance events. In 2009, at just 16 years old, she was 4:12 in the 400 long course meter freestyle and 4:50 in the 400 meter IM. Her best time in both of those races would’ve easily won National titles at the Polish Championships last weekend. She would have contended for the title in the 200 free as well, where her best time is more recent: a 2:04.20 in 2012. She’s generally even a little better in short course than long course.
Zukowska had done the majority of her training in Spain recently, and was a visible swimmer at several high-level meets there, including the 2012 Mare Nostrum stop in Barcelona.
Methylhexaneamine has become one of the most common reasons for bans in swimming over the last 18 months, with at least half-a-dozen athletes receiving punishments of varying lengths for positive tests for the substance.
Methylhexaneamine is not only found in nasal decongestants, it is also found in many pre-workout supplements. It is can be listed on labeling on something else. Check out this website for what to look out for – http://drugfreesportrec.blogspot.com/2011/03/methylhexaneamine-1-3-dimethylamylamine.html
but it’s only a forbidden in in-competition-tests. no problem in out-of-competition-tests