USA: Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova vows to fight doping accusations

Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova said in a self-recorded statement from Los Angeles, Monday, that she still hopes to compete in the Rio summer Olympic Games despite failing a doping test for meldonium.

SOT, Yulia Efimova, Russian Olympic swimmer (Russian): “Dear friends! I think that you have already heard that I tested positive for doping. This is really true. The probe which took place in February, in Los Angeles showed up meldonium. I regret that you didn’t learn this from me personally. Someone rushed to pass this confidential information to journalists. I regret that it brought negative emotions to my relatives, friends, people and companies who helped me but above all, you, my sports fans. I am a professional sportswoman and I clearly understand that I have full responsibility for everything that is inside my organism. At the moment we are preparing for the hearing of my case. We aim to demand the full withdrawal of the charges and to prove that I didn’t break the anti-doping rules. And one more thing: I am continuing to train in the hope that I will perform during the Olympic Games in Rio.”