The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) has confirmed sanctions issued to Portuguese open water swimmer, Arseniy Lavrentyev, and Russian Sergey Makov for anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs). Makov’s ban means the former world record set by his 4x50m medley team and the resulting gold medal taken at the 2013 FINA Swimming World Cup in Moscow will be cancelled.

FINA confirmed that Makov tested positive for ostarine (Class S.1.2 Other Anabolic Agents, Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators – SARMs) at the FINA Swimming World Cup in Moscow on 12 October 2013. The FINA Doping Panel imposed a two-year ban on Makov according to FINA Doping Control Rule 10.2, for his first violation, which will end on 12 October 2015. Ostarine is often used by bodybuilders to develop muscle tissue fast.

In the Doping Panel decision, published yesterday, FINA clarifies that ‘all results obtained by Mr. Makov on or after the 12th October 2013 and through including the date of this decision, as disqualified. Any medals, points and prizes achieved during that period shall be forfeited.’ Makov, Andrey Grechin, Daria Tcvetkova and Ekaterina Borovikova took gold at the 2013 FINA Swimming World Cup in Moscow on 12 October 2013 in the 4x50m medley with a time of 1:41.70 – Mokov reported the fastest time of 23.98.

FINA also confirmed yesterday that the Portuguese Swimming Federation issued a one-year ban to open water swimmer Arseniy Lavrentyev on 6 February 2014, for three whereabouts failures during an eighteen month period. Russian-born Lavrentyev, who competed at the London 2012 Olympics, will therefore be able to begin competition from tomorrow.