As reported just yesterday, the remaining Australian swimmer of the trio involved in missing anti-doping whereabouts data, Maddie Groves, has been cleared to compete.
Per The Brisbane Times, ‘Groves and lawyer Tim Fuller successfully pleaded their case to FINA overnight on Thursday.’ They described how Groves was in her dorm room and was waiting at the correct place and time, but ‘testers failed to go past the front desk of the San Diego University dorm building to find her.’ The testers also failed to call the athlete. (Brisbane Times)
As such, FINA officials ruled the 3rd test failed to meet WADA protocol, indicating that the testing agents ‘did not do everything in their power to track down the athlete.’
Swimming Australia has released its official comment on the Groves case, confirming the FINA Doping Panel ruled that Groves was indeed not in breach of the rules and was fully compliant with her responsibilities and obligations to anti-doping rules as a professional athlete.
Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson said, “This is a great result for Maddie and we will continue to offer her our support as she plans for life and training beyond this process. We are very aware that this has been a tough process for Maddie as she prepared for the Hearing and awaited the finding.
“We are very pleased for Maddie and delighted for her that she will be able to compete and be selected for all upcoming Australian teams. It is an important reminder for all of our athletes about the importance of ensuring the whereabouts is accurate and athletes being present and available during this time.
“Maddie adhered to this process and this was a critical element of why she has been cleared.”
Regarding the ruling, Groves stated, “I have always been confident in achieving this outcome as I have been compliant with all anti-doping policies throughout my career. I am happy to put this behind me and I am looking forward to competing in an attempt to qualify for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. I’d like to thank my legal representative, Tim Fuller, my coach Michael Bohl and my family and friends for their support throughout this process.”
Anderson continued, “Swimming Australia fully supports all anti-doping policies and our athletes understand that the rules in place to ensure that all athletes must be available for testing at their designated location and time are a very important element of anti-doping policies.
“The Australian Dolphins Swim Team has worked hard to develop a culture of professionalism and respect within the team. Part of that professionalism is ensuring each athlete is accountable and responsible for accurately providing their whereabouts. Our swimmers’ actions and behaviours have shown that they have heard this message and have acted,” Mr Anderson said.
Groves will continue training and is eligible for future Australia Dolphins swim teams, including the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, pending qualification at next year’s Trials.
All quotes courtesy of Swimming Australia.
Surely it should not take 6 months to verify MG was at her pre determined place , a UCSD residence . How do the myriad of ncaa athletes get found , do they stand outside with a red lantern? If Uber canfind ppl on street corners why not WADA?
Why are we just looking the “prosecution” when questioning the delay of the hearing ? Like any legal proceeding, both “prosecution AND the “defence” (in this case MG’s legal team) have the right to seek adjournment(s). Has FINA been sitting on its hands ?
MG should not even need a legal team . She said she was there. How can a student afford a f***in legal team ?
Then why did she have the estimable Mr Tim Fuller LLB representing her at the hearing ? Someone must be paying for his services. If she had not missed 2 previous tests within the 12month period (which would seem to run contrary to her declaration “been compliant with all anti-doping policies throughout my career”), she would not have been facing the potential suspension ! Why didn’t she contest THESE incidents if she was as fully compliant as she declares ?
She has been able to establish “plausible deniability” with regards to her whereabouts/actions of testers with regards to this incident and that was sufficient to have the infraction waived. Maybe “justice was served” and her evidence was verifiable/”checked out”; maybe… Read more »
Maddie fought the law & Maddie won . The end .
And no sanctions for the WADA offials who did not fulfill their duties? Come on, let’s make it fair.