At a surprise doping test on March 27th, Brazilian Olympian Henrique Martins tested positive for a banned substance on WADA’s list of prohibited substances according to globo.com. Currently, the banned substance is unknown.
Due to the surprise nature of the doping test, Martins will have the opportunity to present his case in front of a FINA doping panel in Switzerland and has already begun preparations by hiring Marcelo Franklin as his lawyer. Franklin has previously represented Ciesar Cielo, Joao Gomes Jr, and Etienne Medeiros.
Additionally, Martins has also accepted a voluntary suspension from swimming while he prepares for his defense panel.
Martins has been a staple sprint freestyler and flyer for Brazil for several years and was a member of the 2016 Brazilian Olympic team, where he finished 21st in the 100 fly and was a member of the sixth-place 4×100 medley relay.
At last summer’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Martins finished sixth in the men’s 50 fly, his highest individual finish, eleventh in the 100 fly, and fifth in the men’s 4×100 medley relay.
While he failed to qualify for this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships, he could still have a chance to swim at this summer’s South American Championships per globo.com.