British Swimming has won its appeal at the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to ratify two now-broken world record swims from the 2014 European Championship in Berlin.
At that meet, Adam Peaty set a new world record in the 50m breast with 26.62 seconds, and then teamed up with Francesca Halsall, Jemma Lowe, and Chris Walker for a world record 3:44.02 in the 400 mixed medley relay.
However, FINA didn’t ratified the record due to an administrative error involving blood testing. Before the event, Peaty’s doping test failed to test him for EPO, a red blood cell-producing hormone.
British Swimming took out an appeal with the CAS, and, a year-and-a-half later, FINA has decided to ratify both swims.
Both records have since been broken. Peaty has been the official world record-holder in the 50 breast since the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, when he swam a lightning-fast 26.42 in the event. The British team of Christopher Walker-Hebborn, Peaty, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, and Halsall also demolished their mark with 3:41.71 at the same meet.
A report issued by the CAS panel stated: “The absence of EPO tests by the testing authority should not fall to the detriment of the athletes and lead to the non-recognition of the world records. For this reason, the CAS panel has granted the appeal and such records shall now be recognized.”
You can read the full statement released by British Swimming below:
British Swimming has welcomed the Court of Arbitration for Sport decision to grant an appeal against the non-ratification of two world records set by British athletes in 2014.
Swimmers Fran Halsall, Jemma Lowe, Adam Peaty and Chris Walker-Hebborn set a new world record in the 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay at the European Championships in Berlin on 19 August and on 22 August Adam Peaty set a new world record in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke.
On 9 August 2015 FINA notified British Swimming that neither world record would stand due to an error made by a third party in relation to the doping samples given by the athletes at the time of the records.
In granting British Swimming’s appeal and setting aside the decision of FINA, CAS also determined that the times set by the athletes should be reflected within the record books as world records at that time.
CAS also determined that costs for the case should be borne by FINA.
Congratulations British Swimming and for giving Fina the kick up the back side that they needed!