Russian swimmer withdraws from World Championships due to complications after improper doping test

Head coach of the Russian national team Andrey Vorontsov has revealed that female swimmer Anastasia Chaun won’t be able to take part in the current World Aquatics Championship in Shanghai.

The 22-year-old Chaun had won the 200m breaststroke at the last year’s European Championships with a tournament record, but now has been forced to miss the global competitions due to a medical mistake.

«Unfortunately, we had begun to suffer casualties even before we arrived to the World Championships. On July 14, we were visited by RusADA [Russian Anti-Doping Agency – Sports.ru], who took blood samples for doping. Nastya Chaun’s sample was taken in an inadequate way and she has immediately written down her complaints in the doping control form. Some skin redness appeared on her arm and the pain went up the arm immediately. Today we took her to the Russian Federal Medical and Biological Agency and the doctors’ verdict was deplorable: Nastya has to withdraw from the World Championships.

«It hit us below the belt, it hit our medals plan. Other members of the team now should give their best and win more medals.

«I think, it is an accident, but RusADA should still bear responsibility for that, including the financial one. The federation will file a claim for the compensation of the funds spent for Chaun’s training. And Nastya will also file a civil action,» Vorontsov said on air for Russia 2 television channel.