Two-time Olympian Mike Alexandrov has accepted a one-year doping ban due to testing positive for benzoylecgonine and methylecgonine, USADA announced Tuesday. Benzoylecgonine and methylecgonine are metabolites of cocaine.
The positive urine sample came from an in-competition test at the Arena Pro Series event in Santa Clara on June 4, 2017. Cocaine is a Specified Substance in the class of Stimulants and prohibited in-competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the Federation Internationale De Natation Anti-Doping Rules.
Alexandrov’s one year of ineligibility began on August 24th, the date he returned from retirement. He originally retired shortly after that meet in Santa Clara in June of 2017. He has also been disqualified from all competitive results subsequent to June 4th, the date of his test. That includes forfeiting any medals, points and prizes won.
The 32-year-old swam for Bulgaria at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, beginning to swim for the U.S. in 2009 where he was a fixture on the National Team. He won a pair of World Championship titles representing the Stars and Stripes, both in the 4×100 medley at SC Worlds in both 2010 and 2012. He also added a pair of medals from the World University Games in 2013 representing the U.S., winning silver in the 100 breast and bronze in the 4×100 medley, and also won a pair of bronze medals in the 100 and 200 breaststroke representing Bulgaria at the 2007 SC European Championships.
Perhaps I’m alone here, but I find it strange that USADA and other doping agencies care about recreational drugs. To the extent that an athlete is abusing drugs (not for performance gain), that is a separate issue. It seems like a waste of time and resources, and an unnecessary imposition on the voluntary choices of grown adults.
In response to the “athletes should be role models” argument: sure, but where does that stop? Should USADA check that athletes are faithful to their spouses?
In response to the argument that cocaine is inherently life destroying, and we’re already testing athletes so we might as well check for this: cocaine is not as addictive as people assume, and most cocaine… Read more »
I may not disagree with your broader point — but apparently Cocaine is banned at competition b/c it’s a stimulant (and I guess could be performance enhancing).
Definitely not performance enhancing
If he had been popped for marijuana on a surprise in-home test, I’d be with you. But this was an in-competition positive for cocaine, an illegal stimulant. If, as a mediocre Masters swimmer, I’m expected to stop taking over-the-counter Sudafed 3 days before a local meet, no matter how bad my seasonal allergies are acting up, because it has a stimulative effect, the elites can reasonably expected not to pee hot for coke at an Arena Pro Series event.
I don’t think he was out to cheat, and suspect the previous speculation about making a bad choice while partying over Memorial Day weekend are probably accurate. That said, the rules is the rules and they’re crystal clear, as are… Read more »
Very fair point. I’d be curious to see how performance enhancing cocaine / sudafed are compared to allowed stimulants like caffeine, but you’re right that for any PEDs, the rules are the rules.
FWIW Caffeine is on the “watch list.”
As it should be since many swimmers pop the little whites before big competition.
So when he beat me by a large margin at last year’s master’s nationals, it was clearly because he was doping.
Even with the doping he still can’t beat Joseph Schooling in practice. Also, I heard Cody Miller does extra dolphin kicks. Isn’t that like doping?
What even is this comment?
It’s like a 50 year olds attempt at a meme
Champagne don’t drive me crazy
Cocaine don’t make me lazy
Ain’t nobody’s business but my own
Candy is dandy and liquor is quicker
You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica
Ain’t nobody’s business but my own
-Taj Mahal – Nobody’s Business But My Own
Now when I look through his google images it looks like he’s on coke in every one. Know he’s not, but.
Cocaine is so 1970s-80s. All the cool kids vape now a days.
Doesn’t surprise me. Been a shady character his whole life. Glad it finally caught up to him.
Please elaborate further as to what you mean
A lot of people seem to be agreeing with Alex. Intriguing…
Seems to be a lot of up votes for a comment like this. Wonder what he’s really like….
Years ago some people were annoyed that he was allowed to set an American record in the 100y Brest event though he competed internationally for Bulgaria. I wonder if that is the reason for the upvotes on this comment.
Wow, I’m shocked. It seems like we always talk about stuff like this yet when it actually happens we’re all taken by surprise.