World Championships 200m freestyle silver medalist Katsuhiro Matsumoto was issued a warning last month as a result of having tested positive for a banned substance.
As reported by Nikkan Sports, minute traces of an unnamed ‘infringing substance’ were detected in an out-of-competition test conducted by FINA in February of this year. Matsumoto was partaking in a high-altitude training camp in Mexico at the time.
With such a small amount of substance found (SwimSwam has asked FINA for details on the substance and amount), FINA requested that Matsumoto provide details on what he had eaten during his stay in Mexico.
Matsumoto complied with the request for information on June 26th, with FINA declaring on July 6th that, based on the report by Matsumoto, it was determined that ‘the infringing substance was unintentionally ingested in meals’, thus rendering Matsumoto not in violation of anti-doping rules. (Nikkan Sports)
The decision of Matsumoto’s warning cited cases in ‘China and Mexico where the infringing substance was caused by the ingestion of meat contaminated with the same substance used for the purpose of fattening meat.’
Additionally, Japan’s Anti-Doping Authority (JADA) has issued a caution to its athletes across all sport who are traveling to either Mexico or China for treating camps.
A person involved told Nikkan, “There may be more players going to overseas highland training camps in the future. I feel this is a big problem.”
Matsumoto told SwimSwam today, August 28th:
“I was surprised and worried when the email came. And I didn’t remember it. I’m happy that there are no penalties, and I will continue to do my best while paying attention to meat.”
メールが来た時は驚き、心配になった。そして身に覚えがなかった。素直にペナルティが無いことに嬉しく思い、これからも肉に気をつけながら、頑張っていきたいと思う。
This is why one should only eat certified organic, grass-fed livestock.
Give him credit. At least he didn’t pull out the “cocaine kiss” defense.
Duncan Scott begs to differ.
Mexican meat is known to contain Clenbuterol, was this the substance maybe??
Why would Japanese swimmers go to an altitude camp overseas when they just built their own in Tomi City? Especially in a pandemic? Clen is a drug used in combination with others to increase performance. It is out of the body in 6 days. Traces found, doesn’t mean that was what the athlete used, only what’s left in the body when tested.
Clen itself aids in recovery, increases Oxygenation, changes body comp, and taken with other agents becomes a powerful PED.
Seems similar to Sochi 2014. Sports at the highest level will never be without PED use. Unfortunately, its hard to know who to believe anymore…including the athletes who bash on the ones who get caught.
Another “accidental “ ingestion. Riiigggghhhhttttt
They always say that
Clenbuterol is routinely used to fatten up livestock in Mexico and many athletes have been caught out in this way – Mostly boxers (who, as Mexicans, really should have known better…). Still, rapidly improving athletes coming in to home games will always be of increased interest to testers so something to watch out for in the coming months.
The number of doping cases of JPN swim team did increase in recent years. Junya Koga, Fujimori brothers, and now Matsumoto. Some could be just accidents, but they used to keep a very clean record. 4 cases within two years is a lot compared to their historical numbers.
Mexico …. high altitude …. cannabis
They only test for cannabis in competition to my knowledge.
This is correct. Marijuana is legal out of competition, though it’s a bit of a gamble on how long it will take to clear your system given how sensitive the tests are these days.
just joking: Duncan Scott has found another reason for not getting onto the Gwangju podium.
You made me lol