Dutch swimmer Kira Toussaint had her FINA suspension overturned by FINA.
The Dutch record holder and former Tennessee swimmer was notified of the decision on Monday. She has been on voluntary suspension after testing positive for Tulobuterol during the FINA World Cup Series in Beijing in November.
Toussaint released this statement:
”Monday March 11, 2019, I was told by FINA that they will officially and immediately withdraw the doping case against me. Previously, FINA informed me that during a doping test on November 2, 2018, tulobuterol would have been found during the World Cup competition in Beijing. This now appears to be completely incorrect. FINA had initiated proceedings against me on the basis of this alleged positive test. The hearing would take place in Lausanne tomorrow. FINA has now withdrawn the case at the very last minute. I have always denied having used tulobuterol. As a result of the alleged positive doping test, we therefore conducted thorough research into the possible causes of that positive urine test for tulobuterol. It turned out that there was a false positive test that was caused by other – fully permitted – medication that I use. I have also mentioned the use of this medication on the doping control form. Apparently until now it was not known that this medicine can cause a false positive test for tulobuterol. In response to these (new) insights, WADA asked the doping laboratory in Beijing – which initially tested the samples – to re-test the samples using other test methods. This showed that the earlier results of tulobuterol in these samples were indeed incorrect. So tulobuterol has never been found in my samples. Based on this, FINA has decided to withdraw the procedure. “
Toussaint is glad to have her name cleared.
”On the one hand, I am of course very happy that my innocence has now been proven and that I can swim again. On the other hand, I am disappointed in how the process went. It was completely known to FINA and WADA which medication I use and I have always said that I have never used doping. I have engaged specialists myself to do research and prove my innocence. If that research did not reveal that the test methods used so far are not reliable and could lead to a false positive test for tulobuterol, I might have been wrongly sentenced to a two-year suspension. The past period was terrible for me. One of the worst things was the unexpected missing of the World Cup short job in China. I was perfectly fit, but I went home for something that happened completely outside of me. I am happy that I can now leave this period behind me and fully focus on my sport again.”
André Cats, technical director of the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation released this statement:
”The KNZB is very pleased that this very heavy episode for Kira has come to this very positive end. I have a great deal of respect for Kira for how she dealt with this extremely stressful situation and I would also like to thank and congratulate all those who have supported her in this process. Kira can now again focus fully on her top sport. The KNZB will certainly enter into discussions with FINA to find out how this false-positive test could take place and how this can be prevented in the future. One hundred percent athletes who act in good faith must never be wrongly associated with alleged use of doping. “
Awesome news!
Wow! Great that ahe is exonerated but FINA needs to get their act together. They have screwed up so many swimmers. Not acceptable
So happy for her!