Efimova faces life ban after positive test

MOSCOW: Russia’s Yulia Efimova faces a life ban after the breaststroke specialist tested positive for meldonium, with her temporary suspension confirmed by the All-Russian Swimming Federation (ARSF) on Thursday.

The 23-year-old four-time world champion, who has been based in the United States since 2011, returned a positive result during an out-of-competition test, according to a TASS news agency report.

“The All-Russian Swimming Federation informs that we received documents from the International Swimming Federation (FINA) which confirm that the sportswoman has been temporarily suspended from competition due to the possibility of breaking anti-doping regulations,” ARSF said on its website (www.russwimming.ru).