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Chinese swimmer fails drug test again

In a further setback for China's anti-doping efforts, a top Chinese swimmer, who already served a two-year ban for steroid use, has failed another drug test, a Chinese swimming official said today.

"Xiong Guoming, who won gold at last year's Asian Games after having served out his ban, was given a surprise, out-of-competition test in March by FINA, swimming's international governing body," said Li Jun of the National Swimming Management Center.

"Xiong's first urine sample tested positive for drugs," Li said. "A second sample will be tested, probably later this month, and if that also turns out positive, Xiong could face another ban after a hearing."

Xiong's positive test is a blow to Chinese sports officials' efforts to convince the world they are winning their war against doping.

While China has toughened punishments for drug cheats and stepped up efforts to educate athletes, Xiong's test and other recent drug cases could renew suspicions about Chinese doping, particularly among swimmers.

In 18 months, ten Chinese swimmers and coaches have been banned from competition or coaching because of drugs, the state-run Legal Daily said.

A ban against Xiong could deprive China of one of its top male swimmers heading into the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, next year.

Xiong was one of seven Chinese swimmers banned for two years after testing positive for the performance-enhancing steroid DHT at the 1994 Asian Games, the region's Olympic equivalent.

He stormed back at last year's Bangkok Games, winning gold and breaking the Asian Games record in the 200 meters medley and taking silver in the 400 meters medley.

"Doping problems have forced China's swimming association to set its target for the Sydney Olympics at just one gold for the women, and one medal for the men," the newspaper said.

More trouble could lie ahead, the report suggested. "Under FINA rules, swimming associations that log four failed drug tests in a year could be banned from international competition for two years," it said.

AP