Pedersen and Johansson React To FINA’s Decision On Efimova’s Punishment

Earlier today FINA announced the specific punishment for Russian star Yulia Efimova who tested positive for a banned substance in October.

She will serve a 16 month suspension, which will go from October 31st, 2013 to February 28th, 2015 and will also be stripped of the following medals:

  • gold medal, 2013 Euro SC Championships, 50 breaststroke
  • gold medal, 2013 Euro SC Championships, 200 breaststroke
  • gold medal, 2013 Euro SC Championships, 200 medley relay (along with Daria Ustinaova, Svetlana Chimrova, and Rozaliya Nastretdinova)
  • gold medal, 2013 Euro SC Championships, 200 mixed medley relay (along with Vialy Melnikov, Svetlana Chimrova, and Vlad Morozov)
  • silver medal, 2013 Euro SC Championships, 100 breaststroke.

See more about how the medals will come out here

Efimova told Russian news agency ITAR-TASS that should would not appeal the ruling and will focus on training for the 2015 World Championships in Kazan and the 2016 Olympics in Rio,“[Appealing] requires energy, time, and most importantly, money,” Efimova said. “Moreover, I know that I made a mistake. The main thing is to start [working] for the World Championships in Kazan and the Olympic Games.”

Two of her competitors who were greatly effected by Efimova’s use of a banned substance, Rikke Moeller Pedersen and Jennie Johansson, have commented on FINA’s ruling.

Pedersen will receive the medals that are rightfully hers from the European Championships in Herning, but Efimova also kept the Danish star off the top of the medal podium at the World Championships. It has been in Pedersen’s thoughts that Efimova may have gained advantage in that race as well, “Of course I have in mind about Efimova also had the banned substance in the body at that time and thus might cut me a possible huge moment in my career,” Pedersen told fyens.dk.

Pedersen also expressed that she was satisfied with receiving her medals, gold in the 200 breaststroke and women’s 4 x 50 medley relay along with a silver in the 100 breaststroke, but feels she was robbed of a moment she will never be able to get back, “It’s fine. I’m clear about it. I was prepared for it.But it’s something that comes now – on paper.” 

“I feel cheated in any case for the great moments on the podium. This is what we live for as swimmers. I would have enjoyed the intoxication standing on top and have gotten gold in Herning.”

She also expressed that she does not like the idea of just being handed the medals, but that should would welcome the challenge of once again competing with Efimova for the hardware.

Johansson of Sweden has been awarded a bronze in both the 50 and 100 breaststroke as well as a silver in the women’s 4 x 50 medley relay also spoke up today.

“It’s great to get two individual medals, then of course it is sad that she was doped,” Johansson told expressen.se

“I have very strongly reject doping and I think that all sports should be equal for all, and it’s not about doping occurs. So it’s extremely sad when it happens.”

Johansson feels the same way Pedersen does about receiving her medals after the fact, , “It is sad not to be able to experience it in place. It’s the feeling you are fighting for and want to experience the championship. Getting the medals were sent home in the mail is not the same thing.”

She also wrote on her blog that by receiving the medals in this manner did not allow her to take advantage of opportunities that come with her achievements, “Then it gets a lot of attention if you take a medal at a championship, and I miss now. It remains in the background.”

“It still shows that I’m top three in Europe, and it motivates me to continue to practice and get better. So I’m glad I’ve been able to increase the number of medals.”

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Brendan
9 years ago

Has anyone commented on the fact that both Efimova and Hardy are coached by Dave Salo? I very much recognize that I could be jumping to conclusions, and that these were different substances… but it’s a connection nonetheless.

Admin
Reply to  Brendan
9 years ago

Brendan – literally dozens of people have commented on that.

Brendan
Reply to  Braden Keith
9 years ago

Sorry, I must have missed the thread in the other articles. My bad. Any interesting conclusions??

Admin
Reply to  Brendan
9 years ago

It’s a pretty polarizing topic. There’s a group that feels that so many positive tests can’t be separated from the coach, and there’s a group that feels that the circumstances are all so different, and that these are ‘pro athletes,’ that it doesn’t make sense to tie it back to Salo.

Efimova said at her hearing that Salo tells them not to take any supplements, just to avoid positive tests, for whatever that’s worth.

bobo gigi
9 years ago

I understand what these girls can think.
Efimova prevented them from having the joy of a great moment in the medal ceremony.
The gold in the 200 breast and the relay for RMP at home!
And 2 individual medals for Johansson.

As a track fan, I can say these stories have unfortunately happened too many times in the past years.
For example, the 2003 world championships in Saint-Denis.
It’s very funny but at the same time very pathetic.
After Dwayne Chambers implication the BALCO affair, the GB team is disqualified in the men’s 4X100 relay after winning the silver medal.
The US team is disqualified in the men’s 4X400 relay after winning the… Read more »

Steve Nolan
Reply to  bobo gigi
9 years ago

Oh yeah, track’s not great at that.

But I don’t assume swimming (or any other sport) is much different.

aswimfan
Reply to  Steve Nolan
9 years ago

But many fans of their respective sports are delusional.
Most general/casual tennis fans do not event thing that any top tennis players are on PED .

If athletes from “amateur”sports like swimming and athletics are tested positive where there is much less winning prizes and much less sponsorship/advertising/commercial opportunities, why are those tennis fans think that their sport is immune.

My number #1 suspect for tennis is a particular spaniard who visited Dr. Fuentes (basically the spanish version of Balco) who is known for his relentless tennis playing style and dies not seem to get tired, as well as frequent violations, such as timing violation.

Catherine
Reply to  bobo gigi
9 years ago

Let’s be sure not to mention the Tour de France or cycling in general. D’oh, too late!

About Jeff Grace

Jeff Grace

Jeff is a 500 hour registered yoga teacher who holds diplomas in Coaching (Douglas College) and High Performance Coaching (National Coaching Institute - Calgary). He has a background of over 20 years in the coaching profession, where he has used a unique and proven teaching methodology to help many achieve their …

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