2003 World floor champion Daiane dos Santos of Brazil has received a five month suspension for testing positive for banned diuretic furosemide last July, the International Gymnastics Federation announced today.
The FIG handed down the suspension at the recommendation of its disciplinary committee, composed of Tunisia's Rached Gharbi, Portugal's Margarida Dias Ferreira and Paul Engelmann of Switzerland. The suspension went into effect Jan. 27.
Although the suspension will keep dos Santos out of competitions this spring, it will allow her to compete at the 2010 World Championships if she is ready.
In her remarks to the press Friday, dos Santos took responsibility for taking furomeside as part of a beauty treatment designed to reduce localized fat, and vowed to come back stronger.
"I was careless, I know I made a careless mistake and I have never denied this," she told Brazilian newspaper O Globo. "I was very happy with the five months. I can prepare myself well, take care of my knee, get even stronger and [be successful.]"
In dos Santos's defense, it was noted that she was using the substance at a time when she was out of competition and rehabilitating from surgery on her right knee. Dos Santos testified as much before the FIG disciplinary committee in Switzerland in December.
There is one caveat that may cause dos Santos further trouble. The World Anti-Doping Agency has the ability to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and ask for a longer suspension if it is unsatisfied with the FIG's decision.
An article in the Brazilian newspaper Globoesporte added that dos Santos, 26, has had lots of support from her family and teammates, and plans to keep rehabbing her knee and training for the 2012 Olympics. She hopes to make her comeback at the World Championships in October.
"The Worlds is the main competition for me this year," she said. "But before that, I have to return to the Brazilian team. I need to show them that I am able to return and defend Brazil."
Daiane dos Santos, 2003 World Championships Event Finals, Floor Exercise:
Note: The FIG also suspended acrobratic gymnast Alisa Usmanova of Belarus for one year suspension after traces of furosemide were found in her system at the 2009 European Championships in October.
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