Bree vindicated and cleared for Olympics
Thursday, 29 May 2008Irish swimmer Andrew Bree has been given the green light to compete at the Beijing Olympics by the doping panel of FINA, the world governing body for swimming.
Bree had failed a test for a banned substance, after using an over the counter Vicks Nasal Inhaler which he purchased in the USA, but insisted that he was innocent of doping, claiming the reason that he tested positive for 'levmethamfetamine' was due to the inhaler.
And FINA today announced that they have accepted Bree's explanation and while he was warned as to his future conduct, he has escaped any competition ban.
In a statement, FINA said that they were 'convinced that the use of levmethamfetamine was not intended to enhance his performance,' and that Bree had gone to 'all possible lengths to check that the medical product that he was using contained no such banned substance'.
Bree said: 'This is a huge relief that my ordeal is now over and I can continue with my preparations for Beijing.
'These last two months have been an extremely difficult and stressful time for both myself and my family and I am thrilled for everybody that this judgment has vindicated me.
'I have always opposed the use of drugs in sport and will continue to do so and I am deeply grateful for the support I have received from my family and a wide circle of friends and fellow swimmers who never doubted me over these last few months.'
Bree is the only Irish swimmer so far to have made the 'A' qualifying time for the Olympic Games in Beijing in August.
