French swimmer Lise Grenier has been handed a 1 month suspension by the French Anti-Doping Agency after a positive test for prednisone and prednisolone at a Regional Summer Swimming Championship meet in Chamalieres in May. The doping test is dated to November 20th, 2013, and will be just enough to keep her out of this weekend’s French National Championship meet.
At the meet, the 18-year old Grenier finished 5th in the 200 long course meter breaststroke in a 3:06.37.
Prednisone is a corticosteroid and immunosuppressant, that is commonly used to treat asthma and allergies, with many criticizing its ban in that it is more likely to hurt performance than help it. It’s closely-related cousin, prednisolone, provides inflammation relief, and is used to treat the symptoms of the same conditions.
In fact, it is not even against the rules in many sports, including Major League Baseball.
Given the brevity of Grenier’s ban, history indicates that she likely had a prescription for the drug, but simply failed to file proper paperwork given the relative lack of being anywhere near the level of athlete that would typically be drug tested. However at this point, that is pure speculation, as the AFLD (French anti-doping agency) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
My dog is Prednisone for his allergy (which cause him to itch and bite his tail). It’s a small amount 2.5g prescribed by the vet. The only apparent side-effect is that it makes him hungry all the time. If Ms. Grenier gains weight, it’s probably due to the medication.
Why are they testing athletes who go 3:06 ?
Each doping test has its own little set of questions it brings up…”Huh” I think you’ve found the question for this one.
I respect where you’re coming from, but I think you’re missing the point. Whether she is swimming 3.06 of 2.20 for 200m Breast, her fellow athletes deserve to compete against other athletes who are not using banned substances to gain an advantage. I am not much faster than her at 200m Breast, and I hate swimming Breast, but I’d be disheartened to think athletes I were racing could be gaining an unfair advantage over me, purely because they ‘Only swim 3.06’ or whatever.. Cheating is cheating.
I’m not coming from anywhere. As I said, it raises a question.
Hey Bobo, please chime in here. 306 200br qualifies for French nationals? Mon Dieu. That’s the only embarrassing part of this story.
marley09 – It was a regional meet, not French Nationals.
That’s not fun for her, but the potential explanation makes sense. The ban on Prednisone is kind of silly- yes, it is a steroid, but no one wants to take Pred. Speaking from experience- it’s nasty, it’s no fun, you feel icky, BUT it works in the breathing department. Sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, but it’s not like you’d want to take it recreationally.
are you sure she went 306? for 200 back..?
Jake, it’s the 200 breast, and that’s what results say! She was 3:04 in prelims, which is why the explanation at the end makes sense.