February 1998 Magazine Articles Backwash Backwash features short clips, gossip, letters and opinions.
Contributions are welcome.
The controversial first lady of Irish swimming, Michelle Smith-de Bruin, announced in December that she would not attend the world championships in Perth. During the world championships it was announced that Ukrainian swimmer Olena Lapunova is suspended from competing in national or international competition for four years beginning on Nov.15, 1997. Lapunova tested positive for Metandienone metabolites. The idea is to raise awareness among parents and athletes about drug use in sport and to promote drug-free sport as part of a healthy lifestyle. Mark Spitz, who won 7 gold medals at the 1972 Olympics, had harsh words for FINA in the wake of the Chinese scandals and called for China to be banned from the sport for 10 years.