Bree keen to clear his name as failed test blamed on inhaler

OLYMPIC swimmer Andrew Bree has claimed an ‘over-the-counter decongestant’ caused his positive test for a banned substance last year.

He has vowed to clear his name and represent Ireland at the Olympic Games in Beijing in August.

A statement issued by the Bree family last night confirmed: “Andrew is the swimmer accused of taking a banned substance. We believe that this is the result of Andrew unwittingly taking a stimulant contained within an over-the-counter decongestant.

“Andrew has never knowingly taken a banned substance and abhors the use of performance enhancing drugs.

“He will move to clear his name as quickly as possible so that he can continue preparations for the Beijing Olympics.”

Swim Ireland chiefs confirmed that Bree tested positive in December 2007 at the European Short Course championships and that they are working with: “the appropriate authorities and Andrew Bree to progress to the next steps of the process as soon as possible”.

Bree blamed the controversy on a Vicks Inhaler purchased at a US Airport which may have contained a prohibited substance not found in its European equivalent.

The 26-year-old University of Tennessee student last night received the full backing of the prestigious college’s Head Swimming Coach, John Trembley.

“We are fairly calm,” Mr Trembley told the Irish Examiner last night.

“Andrew explained to me that he purchased a Vicks Inhaler at the airport when he departed from the United States to compete in Europe.

“He was using the inhaler to treat a sinus complaint.

“As I understand it the ingredients in the product in the States are different than what is in Europe. That caused the problem.

“Andrew has used the same product in Europe for a long time and never had any issues with it.

“We are very calm about it and we hope for a quick resolution. It was a clearly purchased, over-the-counter medicine.”

Trembley said he had spoken to Bree at length on the matter.

“I spoke to Andrew yesterday (Tuesday) and he was planning to go home shortly to meet with the FINA Board.

“The first reaction when you hear of a positive test is to panic. But that is not the case in this instance.

“Andrew has done nothing wrong other than make a very simple mistake.”

It is believed Bree can now ask the sport’s world governing body FINA to analyse the B sample he gave to drugs testers last year or choose a hearing to argue his case, with the latter being the more likely.

The case has close parallels with that of the alpine skier Alain Baxter, the first Briton to win an alpine skiing medal at the Winter Olympics.