The International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday added its voice to the controversy surrounding Irish swimming champion Michelle de Bruin.
Prince Alexandre de Merode, the head of the IOC's Medical Commission, told reporters in Sydney that he had spoken with the IOC-accredited Barcelona laboratory which had analysed de Bruin's urine sample and had been informed that the alcohol level was so high that it "would be deadly".
"The alcohol level was so high that you could not survive with that concentration," he said. "That's strange, that normally indicates manipulation."
FINA, the world swimming body, is a constituent member of the International Olympic Committee and abides by the IOC's rules on doping practices and testing.
It was revealed on Wednesday that the sample of de Bruin's urine given to tester Mr Al Guy in Kilkenny on January 10th was found to smell strongly of whiskey. FINA has alleged that de Bruin "took advantage of a banned procedure and used a substance and a method which altered the integrity and validity of the urine sample used".
Alcohol consumption has been used by athletes in the past as a method of detracting attention from altered testosterone levels in urine samples. De Bruin has not advanced this as a reason for the adulteration of her sample, however, and has alleged tampering by a third party.
While de Bruin has strenuously denied all allegations made against her, FINA has refused to comment any further. The swimmer has been given until May 18th when FINA's Doping Commission meets, to decide whether to proceed with an analysis of the remaining part of her sample.
There was no indication yesterday from de Bruin or her representatives as to whether they wished to proceed with an independent analysis of the socalled "B" sample. FINA's secretary general, Mr Gunnar Werner, has said that de Bruin could be banned for life if found guilty of the charges.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, made his first comment on the issue. In a statement he said that he was saddened by what had occurred and hoped that de Bruin would "succeed in establishing her innocence".
The Minister "deplored the manner in which the allegations found their way into the media and hopes she will be allowed the privacy and time to make her case properly".
It was confirmed yesterday that de Bruin intends to continue as planned with two competitive swims this weekend in the Paris suburb of Sarcelles. She will compete in the 100 metres freestyle this afternoon and races in the 800 metres freestyle tomorrow.