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Palmer pleased with FINA decision

 

Palmer pleased with FINA decision

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AOC
Palmer pleased with FINA decision
Kylie Palmer has welcomed the decision by the FINA Doping Panel overnight.

SWIMMING: Kylie Palmer welcomes the decision by the FINA Doping Panel overnight to impose a warning and a reprimand in respect of the anti-doping rule violation arising from sample she provided at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona on 31 July 2013. 

Kylie said, "I am very pleased that the decision of the Panel means that I can return to competitive swimming immediately.  My number one goal is to represent Australia at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and I cannot wait to get back on track to achieving that dream".

Kylie notes that the FINA Doping Panel has not yet delivered its reasons for the decision and is conscious of the fact that the decision may be appealed.  "I sincerely hope that this process is now over.  It has been a distressing few months since I was first notified of the positive test back in April 2015.  Since that time I made the decision to accept a provisional suspension and missed the FINA World Championships in Kazan.  I cannot get back that opportunity to represent my country internationally but I am now looking to the future", she said.

Kylie has no idea how the prohibited substance came into her system despite extensive investigations into the matter which were made near impossible by the passage of time between the provision of the sample (July 2013) and notification to her of that result (April 2015).  Kylie categorically denies knowingly taking any prohibited substance in Barcelona in July 2013 or at any time in her career. Kylie has always been a strong supporter of the anti-doping measures undertaken by FINA and has prided herself on being a successful clean swimmer.

Kylie thanks her family and friends for their support.  Due to the ongoing nature of the anti-doping proceedings, she is unable to comment further at this time.

FINA Decision

The FINA Doping Panel delivered the findings overnight in relation to an anti-doping rule violation by Australian swimmer Kylie Palmer that occurred during the 2013 FINA World Championships held in Barcelona, Spain.

On 15 September 2015 the Panel issued Palmer with a warning and reprimand for Palmer’s first anti-doping rule violation.

The Panel determined that all competitive results achieved by Palmer on 31 July 2013 will be annulled, together with the consequences thereof (forfeiture of medals/prizes, reimbursement of prize-money).  Swimming Australia notes that on 31 July 2013 Palmer finished 6th in the final of the individual 200m freestyle and as such won no medals, prizes or prize-money.

Palmer voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension until the matter was determined by the FINA Doping Panel. As such she is now able to compete whenever she decides to return.

Swimming Australia fully supported the process once the matter came before the FINA Doping Tribunal and accepts the findings.

Swimming Australia’s concern throughout the process was the two year delay in informing the athlete of the positive test that occurred in 2013 and the issues that this created for Kylie Palmer throughout the process.

Swimming Australia will continue to work with the Australian Government, the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Olympic Committee to combat the menace of doping and remains a strong supporter of the fight against performance-enhancing drugs and other forms of doping, in both swimming and all sport.

Swimming Australia

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