Swimming: Tumour blamed for Croatian star's failed dope test

　　ZAGREB, Dec 20, 2007 (AFP) - Doctors believe that suspended Croatian swimming star Marko Strahija tested positive for doping in 2003 because of a testicular tumour, a report said here Thursday.

　　Extensive medical examinations showed that Strahija, 32, had likely tested positive for performance-enhancing hormones because of the illness, his doctor Ante Barbir told the daily Slobodna Dalmacija.

　　"He underwent all necessary medical tests including hormones and testicular ultrasound," Barbir was quoted as saying.

　　"The results were known on Monday when we concluded with a high probability that it was a tumour ... and he was operated on Wednesday" in a Zagreb hospital, he added.

　　Strahija, who won a 200m backstroke silver medal at the 2002 World Shortcourse Championships, was suspended by FINA the following year after returning a positive test.

　　He was suspended again in November after failing another test.

　　However oncologists told Slobodna Dalmacija that increased "hCG hormone" levels can be caused by testicular tumours that release them into the bloodstream. They suspect the illness emerged back in 2003.

　　Strahija, a member of Croatia's team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has repeatedly claimed his innocence.

　　A final diagnosis on the tumour will be known once doctors get laboratory test results.