It’s been nearly a year since Great Britain’s Adam Peaty broke the world record in the 50 breaststroke, but the record has yet to be ratified by FINA due to an administrative error involving blood testing.
The Associated Press reports that Peaty’s time of 26.62 has not yet been ratified because he wasn’t tested for the red blood cell-producing hormone EPO after last summer’s European Championships.
Peaty swam that 26.62 in the semifinals, breaking the previous world record of 26.67 set by Cameron van der Burgh.
EPO is a hormone that boosts the production of red blood cells, and is produced naturally by the body. The requirement on EPO testing is to make sure athletes aren’t boosting their EPO levels above the natural amounts.
FINA’s honorary secretary Paolo Barelli says Peaty’s blood wasn’t tested for EPO based on a simple administrative error – the drug testing form didn’t indicate that Peaty needed to be tested for EPO, so the lab didn’t test for it.
“It’s not the British federation’s or the kid’s fault,” Barelli says in the AP story. “It was an administrative error.”
Barelli told the Associated Press that he recommended British Swimming appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to get the record officially ratified, but British Swimming appears to be waiting for a response from FINA before taking that step.
At this point, a day before the start of the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia, the point might be all but moot. Peaty will swim the 50 breaststroke and has a great shot to improve both his un-ratified record and van der Burgh’s record, which is still the official time on FINA’s books.
Barelli suggested that British Swimming should appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
PRswimfan
I agree with you. But synthetic EPI (what Lance took) boosts blood cell levels in the body. While this wouldn’t majorly contribute to a mostly anaerobic race lasting 26 sec, in theory, his training and recovery leading up to the event would be enhanced. More blood flow aids during workouts and helps you recover quicker between practices.
This would directly correlate to swimming fast, even for a sprint, so I understand why they test for it. Hope he smokes the record anyways!
This is where common sense would be of value during anti-doping efforts. That 26 sec effort was a very anaerobic effort, this makes about as much sense as holding up a high jump or clean & jerk world record for lack of an EPO test. If this happened for a 100m swim, it makes sense, for a 50m effort in 26 sec, this is just silly
FFS FINA.
Adam go and smash the record again this week and leave this silly business behind!