This article aims to clarify the events surrounding Antani Ivanov‘s suspensions in the most transparent and objective manner, without any personal judgment. Given the complexity of the case, the goal is to present verified facts and official statements from all parties involved, allowing readers to understand the situation in full. We have received official documents from both parties involved, including the Bulgarian Swimming Federation (BFPS), and Ivanov’s legal representatives. This reconstruction is based exclusively on these documents, ensuring a factual and comprehensive overview of the events.
A few weeks ago, World Aquatics officially confirmed and extended the suspension of Bulgarian swimmer Antani Ivanov until March 2026.
The decision, dated May 23, 2024, includes Ivanov’s period of ineligibility not only due to his previous suspension for missing doping tests but also for a new charge of misconduct against the Bulgarian Swimming Federation (BFPS). Ivanov, known for his public allegations of doping and corruption in Bulgarian sports, now finds himself at the center of a dispute that extends beyond the competitive swimming arena.
Chronology of Antani Ivanov’s Suspensions and Disciplinary Issues
1. First Suspension – 2021 (Three-Year Ban)
In 2021, Antani Ivanov was suspended by the Bulgarian Swimming Federation for three years for damaging the reputation of the federation, athletes, coaches, and board members.
The suspension followed his public defense of three Bulgarian swimmers (Blagoy Panayotov, Zdravko Bablakov, and Svetlozar Nikolov), who had tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, and were banned for doping.
During this period, Ivanov openly criticized the Bulgarian Swimming Federation, the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, and the Anti-Doping Center, which may have contributed to his punishment
2. Second Suspension – January 30, 2024 (Two-Year Ban)
The Disciplinary Commission of the Bulgarian Swimming Federation sanctioned Ivanov with a two-year suspension and a 1,000 BGN fine.
The suspension was imposed due to violations of Article 26 and Article 31 of the Federation’s Disciplinary Code, which prohibit disrespectful public statements towards the Federation and its leadership
Ivanov made several media appearances and social media posts criticizing the Federation, leading to disciplinary action.
On May 23, 2024, World Aquatics officially recognized and extended the suspension worldwide until March 14, 2026
3. Arrest for Marijuana Possession – May 2024
Antani Ivanov was arrested in Blagoevgrad for possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was detained along with Blagoy Panayotov, a swimmer previously suspended for doping.
Despite the arrest, he was released the same day and continued training.
4. Third Suspension – August 12, 2024 (Additional Two-Year Ban)
The Disciplinary Commission of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee found that Ivanov violated anti-doping rules by competing in a triathlon event on September 2, 2023, despite his ongoing suspension.
As a result, he received an additional two-year suspension, starting June 8, 2025.
During this period, he remains subject to anti-doping tests
5. Conviction for Defamation and Insult – February 4, 2025
The Sofia District Court found Antani Ivanov guilty of defamation and insult against Georgi Avramchev, President of the Bulgarian Swimming Federation.
On September 20, 2023, Ivanov allegedly insulted Avramchev on Facebook, calling him “Mr. Oligophren” and accusing him of corruption and theft
The court ruling included:
- A 5,000 BGN fine.
- An additional 3,000 BGN fine to cover Avramchev’s legal fees.
- A public reprimand, with the court ruling published on the Sofia District Court’s website
.Confirmation of Suspension
World Aquatics upheld and validated the additional disciplinary sanction imposed by the BFPS in March 2024. The Bulgarian federation deemed Ivanov’s statements defamatory and harmful to the organization’s reputation. In particular, his accusations against young swimmer Petar Mitsin and alleged doping practices were found to lack concrete evidence, violating the code of sporting integrity.
Note: The Bulgarian Swimming Federation recently submitted details of the disciplinary decision to SwimSwam, specifying that the sanction was issued for “defamatory actions” and for “damage to the federation’s image.”
Ivanov was already serving a suspension until October 2024 for missing doping tests. This additional disciplinary measure now extends his ineligibility to compete until March 2026. This latest development could significantly impact the career of the 24-year-old butterfly specialist, whose trajectory has been marked by years of controversy and disputes with Bulgarian sports authorities.
Antani Ivanov‘s Statement
In response to the suspension, Ivanov reached out to SwimSwam Italia in recent days. His legal representative, Georgi Gradev, a partner at SILA International Lawyers, provided official documentation related to the case. Ivanov also issued a statement, saying:
I want to address the enormous injustice I have suffered at the hands of the Bulgarian Swimming Federation (BFPS) and World Aquatics (WA). I have been sanctioned twice for the same alleged violation: speaking out against the failures of the BFPS, particularly regarding its president, Georgi Avramchev, on doping scandals and the mismanagement of the federation.
The BFPS Executive Committee initially imposed an illegal three-year suspension and a fine of 2,000 BGN, without any legal basis under its own statutes. When this decision was challenged, the BFPS Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Avramchev himself, reduced the sanction to two years and a fine of 1,000 BGN. This process was severely flawed: I was denied the right to be heard, the right to appeal, and faced an evident conflict of interest, with Avramchev acting as both accuser and judge.
World Aquatics has worsened this injustice by globally enforcing the BFPS decision, blatantly ignoring its own Integrity Code (Article 36.2), which prohibits recognizing decisions that violate fundamental legal principles. Even worse, WA misled my legal team by suggesting that the appeal should be filed with a Swiss civil court rather than the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), despite knowing this was the incorrect jurisdiction. This bad faith action further deprived me of a fair opportunity to defend myself.
This entire process represents an attack on my freedom of speech and a clear attempt to silence criticism of the BFPS leadership and systemic issues in Bulgarian swimming. My statements were made to highlight real problems that harm our sport, and I stand by my right to speak out for positive change. I am determined to fight this injustice in Swiss courts, to expose the hypocrisy, double standards, and lack of accountability demonstrated by both BFPS and WA. I demand the immediate lifting of the global ban and an independent review of these actions. I will not stop until justice is served and the principles of fairness and integrity are upheld in sport.
Bulgarian Swimming Federation’s Response
Following the publication of our previous article on the matter, the Bulgarian Swimming Federation issued an official statement sent via e-mail to SwimSwam to clarify its position and challenge Ivanov’s claims.
According to the federation, Ivanov not only missed three doping tests but also participated in the Lion Heart Triathlon in September 2023 while already suspended. This violation led to an additional extension of his ineligibility until 2027.
The BFPS statement reads:
As of today, Ivanov is serving a two-year sanction imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for violating anti-doping rules and missing three doping controls. The sanction was handed down by the Bulgarian Olympic Committee’s Disciplinary Commission and is set to expire on June 8, 2025. Ivanov’s appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Swiss Federal Tribunal resulted in the sanction being upheld.
During his active sanction and full prohibition from participating in sports competitions, Ivanov took part in the Lion Heart Triathlon in September 2023. This led to an additional suspension, now extending his ineligibility to June 2027.
Furthermore, the federation argues that Ivanov has repeatedly spread unfounded accusations against the BFPS, WADA, the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, and the Ministry of Sport, damaging the reputation of Bulgarian swimming. The BFPS asserts that Ivanov was given the opportunity to present his defense before the Disciplinary Commission, but he declined to do so.
The BFPS statement continues:
Ivanov’s attacks have been directed at well-respected professionals, legendary athletes, and leaders in Bulgarian sports. The primary target of his insults has been Bulgarian Olympic Committee President Georgi Avramchev. However, he has also accused former Bulgarian Olympic Committee President Stefka Kostadinova, three Ministers of Sport, and members of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee’s Disciplinary Commission of incompetence.
The federation also rejects allegations of conflicts of interest, stating that Avramchev abstained from voting on Ivanov’s sanction. The decision was subsequently confirmed by the Administrative Court of Veliko Tarnovo and the Court of Appeal in Sofia, reinforcing its legitimacy.
Social Media Attacks
In recent months, Ivanov has used social media to express his opposition to the Bulgarian Swimming Federation and other sports authorities.
Through posts and public statements, he has accused the BFPS of being a corrupt organization, arguing that the national sports system is plagued by favoritism and irregularities. His most pointed criticisms have been aimed at specific sports officials, including federation president Georgi Avramchev, whom he has described as “an obstacle to transparency and justice in Bulgarian sport.”
The BFPS has responded by stating that these attacks constitute reputational damage and that Ivanov’s claims are unsubstantiated and lack evidence.
Ivanov’s Career Highlights
Ivanov experienced his major breakthrough as a 17-year-old at the 2017 World Championships, breaking a national record in the 200 fly heats (1:55.55) before becoming the first Bulgarian swimmer to make a Worlds final in a decade. He won bronze at the 2017 World Junior Championships later that summer and went on to make consecutive 200 fly finals at the 2018 Short Course World Championships, 2019 World Championships, and 2021 Short Course Worlds. A 2022 graduate of Virginia Tech, Ivanov didn’t make it out of the heats at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, finishing 17th in 1:57.00.
Conclusion
Antani Ivanov has been suspended multiple times:
- 2021-2024 (Three-Year Suspension)
- 2024-2026 (Two-Year Suspension)
- 2025-2027 (Additional Two-Year Suspension)
In addition, he was convicted of defamation and publicly reprimanded by a Bulgarian court. His total period of ineligibility extends at least until 2027.
In a country where the “top” swimmers struggle to reach times of 1.54 in 200 freestyle, the “great” Anthony Ivanov once swam 200 butterfly that. Oh he hasn’t doped. Not at all. He is as innocent as a newborn that has just come into this world. Give me a break! We weren’t born yesterday.
Just because I’m better doesn’t mean I’m “doping” I was in a US university for 4 years when I swam this time and was top 3 at NCAA’s. Don’t you think I was under drug tests ? How come my “missed” tests occurred after the scandal ? Stop commenting a couple times from the same name everyone can see you are doing it on purpose 😂. 🤡
Also the National Record in the 200 free is 1.46.5 from Petar Mitsin so your statement is incorrect also he has 1.56.3 in the 200 butterfly so does he dope as well ?
Whether Mitsin dopes or not remains unknown but he certainly has not missed tests or been caught. According to World Aquatics and LEN he is clean. I wasn’t referring to him when comparing your 200 fly time. I was referring in genereal to the rest of the swimmers, not the record holder. I have zero doubt in my mind that you HAVE DOPED. Show me one criminal who has admitted his crime before being convicted? Same with you, you don’t seem to understand you cannot convince the world you are clean no matter how many times you repeat or assert it.
The very fact that Ivanov has sought out SwimSwam on the isuue rather than the opposite speaks for itself. You really need to stop providing tribune to such swimmers.
Ivanov’s career is over. He can no longer swim best times, not only because of age but because he won’t be able to dope any more. He needs to stop taking up people’s time with his baloney.
It’s good to see you here from your fake profile. We will see if I can get best times, only time will tell. You are just proving my point about Bulgaria. Last point of course is that I have never doped and that’s the problem for you guys, that I’ve always been clean and you had to throw dirt that is why I never had and never will have a positive test and maybe I’m the only person with a “missed” and NEGATIVE test in the same day.
was going to make a point about their beloved Petar Mitsin but it didnt get approved
Only time will tell 😘
Sounds as if Ivanov has a valid point. He’s the only one with skin in the game. If he’s right, it’s no wonder the rich get richer. If not, why go through all of this?
Thank you so much ! Appreciate the comment !
Watching him swim at VT, Antani was a hard worker and good teammate. Hoping he gets his justice and looking forward to his comeback
Thank you ❤️
If you were a swimmer in Bulgaria, you would know how things work! 2 of the times he missed anti-doping tests, he was tested negative shortly after the missed tests. So it is not like he was hiding because he took doping… But for the people in BFPS is better to keep Antani aside, because he always has an opinion and is willing to share. Nobody started an investigation when they found three guys with the same doping, from different cities in Bulgaria, but coming back from a camp with the national team. NO ONE! Why?
Exactly my point. Correction though, only the first missed test I was travelling in Bulgaria so I wasn’t on the address but the anti doping knew so they called me to ask me for the new address and where I was going, so instead of 8am I was tested at noon. On my WADA statement there is a missed and a negative on the same day and I still got banned it’s ridiculous. The second one was because the bulgarian anti doping committee sent a letter to WADA that my address was in the USA but I was COMPETING at WORLDS and they attached the document of me making the final in the 200 fly as evidence next to the… Read more »
Sad story.
I’m not sure I understand the problem with participating in an event outside of the swim federation jurisdiction (triathlon).
At first glance the thing looks like doping, but then it seems to really be all about mouthing off.
How is Bulgaria’s reputation as a whole in regard to doping? Is it just some sort of cycle of toxic masculinity that the athlete must talk SH17 to the leader and then the leader must retaliate and the cycle keeps going with everyone looking bad?
When the athlete was competing in the US was he able to get along and avoid suspicions?
What a sad mess.
Doping suspensions extend to all WADA signatories. I’m not sure of the sanctioning of the triathlon, but if it was sanctioned by the Bulgarian Triathlon Association, a WADA signatory, then the suspension would extend there the same as it would a USA Swimming meet.
(Would be a massive loophole if someone could dope out of the gills in one sport, get caught, and then just say ‘all good I’ll go do this other sport instead’)
We’ll actually this isn’t true because Lion Heart is a 3 person relay and I only did the swimming part + it doesn’t gain any points for anywhere it is not really a competition it’s more like a get together type of meet and most of the funding goes for charity. Even the Lion heart representatives declined to give anything about my participation to the court because they said it’s an amateur competition and it is purely for fun.
Makes sense, thank you for the information/explanation.
It feels like the bullies up top are more unhinged these days, more shameless and public about their abuses of power and corruption.
On the one hand, they’re showing people their true colors, so that should be a plus, but it feels like it just emboldens those among us who identify with the same character flaw to just follow their example. And while I don’t get why this poor guy would defend doping violatiors (altough I’m of course not familiar with the case), he seems to be the target of his federation for no valid reason. If the big guys are so thin-skinned that they can’t take a little criticism, maybe they’re in the wrong line of work and… Read more »