LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Despite a pharmacy error, Australian swimmer Ryan Napoleon must serve a three-month doping ban and miss the Commonwealth Games.
FINA’s doping panel says Napoleon tested positive for the banned drug formoterol last year because a pharmacist incorrectly labeled an asthma inhaler. The swimming governing body acknowledged that Napoleon “had no intention” of enhancing his performance.
However, it suspended him for three months through Nov. 20, noting the ruling “underlines the responsibility of the athlete to check his medicine.”
Australia selected Napoleon to swim the 400- and 1,500-meter freestyle at the games, scheduled for Oct. 3-14 in New Delhi. He can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
