FINA Doping Panel Bans Three Retired Russians, Including Olympian Artem Lobuzov
The FINA Doping Panel on Monday handed down doping bans for three Russian swimmers, all of whom appear to be retired. The group includes two open-water swimmers and Olympian Artem Lobuzov.
The other two swimmers are Alexandra Sokolova and Artem Podyakov. All three have been banned four years for use of a prohibited substance. The bans are retroactive to the date investigations were opened, on Aug. 25, 2021. At least two of the sanctions stem from incidents nearly a decade ago.
The releases for Sokolova and Podyakov, the open-water swimmers, include full documentation of the proceedings. They show a conclusion date of Feb. 11, 2022. Both cases cite LIMS, the international database of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory that has revealed several cases of manipulation and fabrication.
Sokolova’s adverse analytical finding (AAF) stems from a urine sample collected by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) in an out-of-competition test on Nov. 25, 2013. The sample tested positive for furosemide, a banned diuretic agent. However the Moscow laboratory “falsely recorded” the sample as negative. Per FINA’s findings, on both open-water swimmers:
Moreover, the analytical documents from the analysis of the reportable AAF were selectively manipulated and data deleted to the betterment (protection) of the Athlete. In other words, analytical evidence that the Athlete was using Furosemide was destroyed and evidence that the Sample was ‘negative’ was created.
Solokova has not competed since 2015. She placed 10th in the 25-kilometer swim at the 2013 World Championships, four months before her falsified failed test. Citing her retirement, Sokolova declined to participate in the FINA disciplinary proceeding.
Podyakov retired from competition in 2016. He was also tested out of competition on Nov. 23, 2013, which tested positive for acetazolamide, also a prohibited diuretic. The Moscow anti-doping lab did not report it as an adverse finding (i.e. a failed test). Podyakov likewise did not participate in the disciplinary process.
The news release on Lobuzov does not include a full FINA Doping Panel report. He appears to have retired from the sport in 2019. He’s the most decorated of the suspended swimmers, having finished 16th in the men’s 200 freestyle at the 2012 London Olympics. He also swam on the Russian 800 free relay that finished 10th. Lobuzov won silver in the 800 free relay at the 2013 World Championships and 2014 European Championships. He has relay gold from Short-Course Worlds in 2016 and bronze in 2014.