Stanley Awarded Belated World Championship Medal

New Zealand swimmer Matthew Stanley has been awarded the bronze medal from December’s World Short Course Championships after a ban was today handed down to the original medallist.

Swimming’s world body, FINA today confirmed that Danish swimmer Mads Glaesner had tested positive to the substance Levmetamfetamine during the championships where he was placed third in the men’s 400m freestyle and won the men’s 1500m freestyle. FINA today confirmed that Glaesner had been imposed with a three month ban as a result of the positive test and that he will forfeit both medals.

Accordingly FINA has now awarded the bronze medal in the 400m freestyle to Stanley who finished fourth in the final.

It now means New Zealand has won three medals at the championships with the gold and bronze to Lauren Boyle to make it the joint best performance along with the three medals won at the World Short Course Championships in 1995.

Swimming New Zealand has advised Stanley, who is currently training at high altitude in Sierra Nevada in Spain in preparation for August’s world championships.

“It is great news for Matthew and for New Zealand Swimming,” said Swimming New Zealand CEO, Christian Renford.

“At the same time it would have been rewarding for Matthew to have been able to enjoy this moment at the championships and it is a further reminder for all swimmers to be vigilant and to get advice from Drugs Free Sport New Zealand before taking any medications and/or supplements.”

Glaesner explained that the positive test was because he used an American version of a Vicks Vapor Inhaler for nasal congestion, claiming the Danish version did not contain the banned substance.

The Danish swimmer has 21 days to appeal the decision of the FINA Doping Panel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

New Zealand athletes have access to the most update information regarding anti doping requirements through Drugs Free Sport New Zealand.

FINA World Championships (25m)