The 23-year-old four-times 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).
"In order to clarify information concerning the current
situation as quickly as possible, ARSF president Vladimir
Salnikov will meet with the heads of the Russian swimming team
and the Russian Sports Ministry," the statement concluded.
Efimova, bronze medalist at the 2012 London Olympics in the 200
meters, could be handed a life-time ban from competitive
swimming as she has previously failed a drugs test.
In May 2014, she was disqualified for 16 months by FINA after
traces of the anabolic steroid DHEA, which speeds up metabolism
and helps with weight loss, were found in her system at an out
of competition test in Los Angeles in 2013.
Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of
banned substances on Jan 1.
So far more than 100 athletes in a number of sports have tested
positive for the drug, including multiple grand slam-winning
Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova.
(Editing by John O'Brien)
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