The Court of Arbitration for Sport finally decided to ban for life the Brazilian swimmer Rebeca Gusmao who was found doping on testosterone. Gusmao has earned several gold medals for her country but was later stripped of her medals due to doping offenses. Anti-doping authorities tested her positive for elevated testosterone levels in 2006 during the national championships. She was also tested positive for the second time just days before the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian swimmer deliberately tampered the urine sample she submitted during the Pan American Games by switching her sample with another person. She was caught when a team of WADA observers in Rio suspected that the swimmer may have tampered the doping controls. The body conducted a DNA analysis and they were able to prove their allegations.

The AFP published the press release issued by the CAS which is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. “The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rendered its final decision in the cases concerning the Brazilian swimmer Rebecca Braga Gusmao. The CAS has confirmed the decisions taken by FINA Doping Panels on 12 May 2008, 17 July 2008 and 3 September 2008, in the last of which, Ms Gusmao was declared ineligible to compete for life,” according to the sports governing body.

In 2007 Rio Games, Gusmao was able to get the 50 and 100 meter freestyle events. She also lead her team to the second place in the 400 free relay and 3rd in the 400 medley relay. FINA stripped off her medals and their medals in the team event were also forfeited. Her medals for individual category were awarded to Arlene Semeco of Venezuela while for the team category, Canada got the second position and Venezuela for the 3rd position in the 400 free relay. The bronze medal for the medley relay was also awarded to Bahamas.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) allowed her to participate in the 2007 games because her 2006 testosterone case is still pending. FINA suspended her for two years for her first offense and issued a lifetime ban in September 2008. However, Gusmao’s legal team elevated the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. They argued that the testing laboratory in Brazil may have provided inaccurate results. The Brazilian swimmer also claimed that she was a victim of a conspiracy. She insisted that she is innocent and did not tamper any anti-doping tests. The arbitrators dismissed those arguments and stands firm on its decision in favor of FINA. The court said that there were 3 clear anti-doping rule violations. The 2 were in the form of presence of a prohibited substance while the other one is in the form of tampering with a doping control.

The professional career of Rebeca Gusmao ended with the decision of CAS. Gusmao will not be able to participate in any professional swimming competitions or play in any professional sports. It was also reported that Gusmao is trying to start a career in professional soccer. The lifetime ban will only allow her to play in amateur leagues and pick-up games. Her illegal use of testosterone to boost her performance in swimming competition does not only end her career but also tainted the reputation of her country. Gusmao is a new addition to the growing list of professional swimmers like Jessica Hardy and Chinese Olympic swimmers who were caught by sports authorities.

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