Star swimmer caught for doping

TALLINN - President of the Estonian Swimming Federation Karol Kovanen confirmed that the B-sample of a young Estonian swimmer, who had given a positive doping sample at the Estonian-Finnish competition at the end of May, had also turned out to be positive, reports National Broadcasting.
“I can confirm that the result of the B-sample was positive and now a process will be launched according to certain rules,” said Kovanen. He added that he was not allowed to reveal the name of the swimmer as yet.
According to information available to Estonian National Broadcasting, the athlete in question is a 17-year-old swimmer who has broken a number of junior-level records in Estonia. As the person is a minor, his or her name cannot as yet be revealed.

Police have now launched an investigation into the matter, as the 17-year-old swimmer was found to be using stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, reports Postimees. According to Estonian law, inciting someone to use doping is an offense punishable according to criminal law.
Member of the Management Board of the Estonian Anti-doping Agency Kristel Berendson stated that since the B-sample from the swimmer was found to be positive, proceedings will continue according to rules. “The Anti-doping Agency will launch an investigation; we will interview the athlete and all those who might be linked to the doping use – the coach, the club management, the parents – and will demand explanations from them. We will try to find out who will be responsible in this case, as the athlete is a minor,” she explained.

Berendson stated that after that, the Disciplinary Committee of the Estonian Anti-doping Agency will convene to decide who, and how they, ought to be punished. Before the committee meeting, the athlete’s name will not be disclosed, as it might be found that the athlete is not at fault, but is rather the victim.
Currently the police have been involved in investigating the circumstances in the doping case. According to the Press Advisor of the Northern Circuit Prosecutor’s Office Arno Poder, the authorities are collecting pertinent information and will decide in the near future whether official criminal proceedings will be launched.