US strict on doping, says Adrian
Irvine ( United States), July 25: Ryan Lochte’s 14month ban for use of a prohibited intravenous infusion was the right call, US swimming stars said on Tuesday, they just hope athletes in other countries are being held to similarly high standards.
“I don’t think that this punishment would have necessarily been as strict if he was part of certain other federations, to be totally honest,” said Nathan Adrian, whose five Olympic victories include 100m freestyle gold at the 2012 London Olympics.
Lochte, a six- time Olympic champion, was suspended by the US AntiDoping Agency on Monday for use of the IV, which isn’t allowed even though the infusion involved permitted substances.
“We all understand how harsh Usada is now on our American athletes,” Adrian said on the eve of the US national championships in Irvine, south of Los Angeles.
“It would be nice if the rest of the world kind of did the same thing — felt that they were not there to protect their athletes, that they were there to govern
● Lochte’s ban was backdated to May 24, the date he received the treatment. The 33- year- old American posted a picture of himself getting the IV on social media, which prompted Usada to open an investigation.
their sport,” Adrian said.
Lochte’s ban was backdated to May 24, the date he received the treatment. The 33- year- old American posted a picture of himself getting the IV on social media, which prompted Usada to open an investigation with which Lochte “fully cooperated” officials said.
Adrian, 29, acknowledged that the complexities of the anti- doping code can be hard to navigate.
“You have to ask a lot,” said Adrian, who said he consults with USA Swimming officials or directly with Usada if he has a question.
He was aware of the prohibition in intravenous infusions — except in the case of medical treatment — thanks to a Usada lecture he was required to attend when training at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado.
Chase Kalisz, winner of the 200m and 400m individual medley world titles in Budapest last year, said he was made aware of the rule in a similar meeting at the training center three years ago.
Breaststroker Lilly King, who was outspoken in branding rival Yuliya Efimova a drugs cheat at the 2016 Games after the Russian served a 16month ban, admitted it was “hard to see that happen to a friend and a teammate” but didn’t think Lochte’s punishment was wrong.
“You have to follow the laws and I appreciate that Fina and Wada and Usada and all the doping agencies are cracking down on that now because it’s something that needs to happen,” she said.
Ryan Lochte, a six- time Olympic champion, was suspended by the US Anti- Doping Agency for use of the IV, which isn’t allowed even though the infusion involved permitted substances