VIENNA (AP) — The Austrian anti-doping agency will not fine European short-course 200-meter butterfly champion Dinko Jukic for missing an unannounced doping test in May.
NADA on Monday warned Jukic over breaching international anti-doping regulations but ruled that the 22-year-old swimmer cannot be held responsible for the test not taking place.
"I was and I am not aware of any fault," Jukic told the Austria Press Agency. "It has been confirmed today that I am not guilty."
Anti-doping officials visited Jukic during a training session at the Wiener Stadionbad on May 24. They left without taking blood samples after the swimmer complained about hygiene conditions.
NADA said its officials and Jukic also disagreed about the timing of the test.
"He has violated anti-doping rules, but he cannot be blamed for not cooperating," disciplinary committee chairman Gernot Schaar said.
According to anti-doping regulations, refusing a doping test is tantamount to a positive test. If found guilty, an athlete usually faces a ban of up to two years.
Jukic and Markus Rogan are Austria's main medal hopes for the 2012 London Olympics.
In 2010, Jukic won gold at the European short-course championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, two years after winning the European 400-meter medley title in Reijka, Croatia.
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