On August 19th 2003, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) conducted an unexpectend and
out-of competition test during the training of the Bulgarian team on the Sofia University
campus.
After the test it became clear that a positive case involving furosemide, the same doping
that costed Kabaeva and Tchachina their medals at Worlds 2001, was detected among the samples.
This sample involves the Bulgarian star Simona Peycheva. The forbidden middle was also found
in the B sample.
Due to this doping affaire and a foot injury, Simona didn't compete at the World Championships in Budapest last September.
Simona had problems with her kidneys and spent some time in hospital. It seems that one of the medicines given to her had a chemical composition similar to furosemide. Maybe that's the reason for the positive test? Now Bulgarians have send a medical report of Simona to FIG.
This article originally came from http://www.standartnews.com/archive7ds/2003/10/10/sports/index.htm
By Mara Kalcheva
Medical Doctors: Simona Is Clean
For the first time a commission of experts will tackle the doping scandal.
Simona Peycheva has not taken doping according to the medical report Bulgarian scientists sent to FIG’s disciplinary commission. Neither furosemide nor any other diuretic has passed through the gymnast’s system between August 15 and August 19. During these 5 days, Peycheva has received an ambulatory treatment for a kidney disease in the Military Medical Institute. All procedures are thoroughly documented.
The national team member gave a doping test during training on August 19, and the banned substance was discovered in it. The paradox is that on the same day, as in the previous four days, Peycheva’s urine had been examined in the Military Medical Institute, and it [the urine] showed an excessively high saturation. “It is not possible to take diuretics and yet have your system shut down the release of water in the urine,” explained in accessible language Dr. Mariela Sirakova.
The above was confirmed by a secretariat of the National Commission of Doping Control lead by Dr. Vassil Popov. The particularities of this case forced FIG’s head administration to put a motion for an independent medical expertise on the case for the first time in history. It is not clear when FIG’s disciplinary commission will begin its deliberations, but the case “Peycheva” could turn out to be a precedent in world’s sports.