Two Chinese Swimmers Test Positive
1999-06-09

Two Chinese male swimmers have tested positive for clenbuterol.

Xiong Guoming, 74, winner of the 200 IM, and second in the 400 IM at last December's Asian Games was caught March 8 in an out of competition test. He was one of those involved in the 1994 pre-Asian Games rash of Chinese positives having already undergone a two-year suspension for steroid use. As a repeat offender he could received a two-year to life suspension.

Wan Wei, 79, primarly a backstroker and I.M. specialist was also tested March 8 and was found to be using clenbuterol.

Test on the B samples will be done at the IOC accredited lab in Barcelona June 15. Athletes take clenbuterol to bulk up their muscle mass. The more orthodox use is for fattening up cattle.

Xiong was one of seven Chinese swimmers banned for two years after testing positive for the performance-enhancing steroid DHT at the 1994 Asian Games.