Olympic gold medallist and record-breaker Roland Schoeman has been suspended for doping, according to the International Swimming Federation’s (Fina) announcement on Thursday, February 7.
The 39-year-old South African swimmer’s training for the 2020 Olympics was cut short on the back of results of a test in May 2019, which showed traces of a prohibited product from the family of hormonal and metabolic modulators.
Schoeman’s suspension will last until May 17, with the swimming competition due to start in Tokyo this year on July 25.
The swimmer has been lauded for his achievements in his field, such as being part of the 2004 Olympics and forming part of the winning South African 4x100m relay team. He is also a three-time world champion, holding world records for both freestyle and butterfly.
An appeal can be made by the swimmer to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne but it is yet to be seen if Schoeman will follow this route.
Picture: Facebook/Roland Schoeman