FINA has issued a warning and a reprimand to Australian freestyler Kylie Palmer, ending a two-year testing ordeal. Although the failed doping test took place at 2013 FINA World Championships, Palmer was not notified until almost two years later, and was later forced to drop out of 2015 FINA World Championships.
Earlier today, we published a more in-depth look at the Palmer case. Swimming Australia recently released a statement in which it voiced its “concern throughout the process” over the “two-year-delay in informing the athlete of the positive test and the issues this created for Kylie Palmer throughout the process.”
Swimming Australia does not voice any opposition to the results of the positive test back in 2013, but they do take issue with the delay in informing Palmer of the results.
The full release from Swimming Australia is below:
The FINA Doping Panel delivered the findings overnight in relation to an anti-doping rule violation by Australian swimmer Kylie Palmer that occurred during the 2013 FINA World Championships held in Barcelona, Spain.
On 15 September 2015 the Panel issued Palmer with a warning and reprimand for Palmer’s first anti-doping rule violation.
The Panel determined that all competitive results achieved by Palmer on 31 July 2013 will be annulled, together with the consequences thereof (forfeiture of medals/prizes, reimbursement of prize-money). Swimming Australia notes that on 31 July 2013 Palmer finished 6th in the final of the individual 200m freestyle and as such won no medals, prizes or prize-money.
Palmer voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension until the matter was determined by the FINA Doping Panel. As such she is now able to compete whenever she decides to return.
Swimming Australia fully supported the process once the matter came before the FINA Doping Tribunal and accepts the findings.
Swimming Australia’s concern throughout the process was the two year delay in informing the athlete of the positive test that occurred in 2013 and the issues that this created for Kylie Palmer throughout the process.
Swimming Australia will continue to work with the Australian Government, the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Olympic Committee to combat the menace of doping and remains a strong supporter of the fight against performance-enhancing drugs and other forms of doping, in both swimming and all sport.