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Brazilian Olympic Hopeful Suspended for Drugs

14:00 H | Topics: Brazil - Controversia - Sports

Brazilian swimming star Rebeca Gusmao, widely expected to represent her country in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, has been suspended by the International Swimming Federation from the sport for two years for allegedly using performance-enhancing drugs.

Testosterone was apparently found in Gusmao's system after a test at the Panamerican Games in November of last year, and her suspension is retroactive to that date. According to Venezuela's El Universal, as a result, Gusmao has lost the 4 medals she won at the Rio Games, as well as 2 won for the 50 and 100 meter categories, which have been given to her Venezuelan competitor, Arlene Semeco.

Dubbed "the giant" because of her impressive body mass, it is believed that her particular body type and rapid change in appearance (that's her before, check out her 'after' picture after the jump...if you dare) can be attributed to the use of testosterone. Just days ago, Gusmao said that she would go to Beijing and bring a medal back for Brazil, saying "No athlete is psychologically stronger than I am, and no athlete wants to win as much as me."

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Via / El Universal

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