Four British swimmers have won their appeal to have two world records from 2014 ratified by the sport’s governing body.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland ruled in favour of Adam Peaty, Fran Halsall, Jemma Lowe and Chris Walker-Hebborn in their case against swimming world governing body FINA.
The swimmers’ world record times set at the European Championships in 2014.were not recognised because an administrative error meant they weren’t tested for banned substance EPO.
However the CAS panel said the administration error should not negate the records.
“The absence of EPO tests by the testing authority should not fall to the detriment of the athletes and lead to the non-recognition of the world records,” read a statement from CAS.
“For this reason, the CAS panel has granted the appeal and such records shall now be recognised.”
Added British Swimming today: “In granting British Swimming’s appeal and setting aside the decision of FINA, CAS also determined that the times set by the athletes should be reflected within the record books as world records at that time. CAS also determined that costs for the case should be borne by FINA.”
Peaty lowered the 50m breaststroke world record to 26.62 seconds at the championships and joined Halsall, Lowe and Walker-Hebborn in the mixed medley relay team that set a new mark of three minutes 44.02 seconds.
Both marks have subsequently been beaten, with Peaty setting a new world record of 26.42 at last year’s World Championships in Kazan, while the relay team – only with Siobhan-Marie O’Connor instead of Lowe – recording a new mark of 3:41.71.
