(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-06 10:49

RIO DE JANEIRO - The International Swimming Federation (FINA) preventively suspended Brazilian athlete Rebeca Gusmao after an anti-doping test in July, local press reported on Monday.

Rebeca Gusmao of Brazil starts her women's 50m semifinal swimming race at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro July 17, 2007. Gusmao finished second in her semifinal. [Agencies]

The test presented abnormal levels of testosterone. In May, another test had showed abnormal testosterone levels in the swimmer's body, but she was not prevented from participating in the Pan American Games in Rio during the July 13-29 period.

Gusmao was the first Brazilian female swimmer to win a gold medal in the Games. She came first in the 50 meters and 100 meters freestyle events, apart from winning a silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay and a bronze in the 4x100m medley relay. Additionally, she set a new Pan Am record for the 50m freestyle in the competition.

As the most recent anti-doping test was carried out shortly before the Pan Am Games, Gusmao runs the risk of losing all the titles she won. According to FINA, she must not participate in any swimming event temporarily, starting on November 2, until the entity establishes a date to judge the matter.

In September, the athlete passed out by the pool following a 50m freestyle event at the Jose Finkel Trophy, Brazil's most traditional swimming tournament. Then, she alleged tiredness and asthma as the causes for her fainting.