Italy’s Diego Teoldi has become at least the 3rd swimmer to be sanctioned by FINA in the last year for a positive test for Terbutaline, which is classed as an S.3 Beta-2-Agonist by the World Anti-Doping Code.
The 21-year old Teoldi tested positive on December 8th, 2013 at the Trofea Sogeis meet in Motichiari, Italy, and was handed a two month suspension from that date by the Antidoping Tribunal of the Italian Olympic committee (CONI).
Teoldi was also find Euro 325 by CONI to cover the cost of the proceedings.
At the meet, Teoldi, who represents Team Trezzo Sport, swam just a single race: a short course meters 50 fly in 24.59, which was a lifetime best for him (though it’s now striken from the books). Teoldi is primarily a sprinter, with bests of 23.56 in the 50 long course meter freestyle and 24.93 in the long course meter fly.
Terbutaline is a legal drug when prescribed by a doctor, and is used both as a bronchodilator for asthma treatment and also as a treatment for premature labor. It is, however, allowed in competition when taken in the inhaled form and with a Theraputic Use Exemption obtained in advance.
The previous case was a Lisa Ferreira from France, who received just a warning from the French Swimming Federation disciplinary panel. Like Teoldi, Ferreira was largely a regional-level swimmer: neither of whom is competing at a level where they’re tested often.
Johannesen of Denmark, who received a three-month suspension, was the 3rd – though he was tested at the Danish Open Championships. He, though, still received a relatively lenient 3-month suspension.