Vysotskaya Tests Positive for Diuretic (6th September, 2006)

Belarussian gymnasts Nadezhda Vysotskaya was tested positive for the banned substance furosemide at the Ghent World Cup in May, the FIG announced today. Furosemide is a potent diuretic that is included on the World Anti Doping Agency's Prohibited List since it can be used as a masking agent for other banned substances. The incident is not the first in gymnastics to involve furosemide. Russian rhythmic gymnasts Alina Kabayeva and Irina Chashchina were tested positibve for furosemide at the 2001 Goodwill Games and suspended for a year as well as stripped of their 2001 World Championships medals. Vysotskaya was a member of the team that placed 14th at the 2006 European Championships in Volos, Greece. She placed eleventh on vault and floor and 14th on balance beam at the Ghent World Cup. The case has been transmitted to the FIG Disciplinary Commission.