Pankratov loses records

Swimming

World records set by the European champion, Denis Pankratov, cannot be recognised because no drug controls were carried out at the meeting, the international federation, Fina, said yesterday.

Pankratov broke the short-course world marks in the 100 and 200 metres butterfly at a World Cup event in Paris, on 3 February clocking 1min 52.34sec in the 200 on 3 February and 51.94 sec in the 100m the following day.

Fina decided last November that doping controls should be carried out within 24 hours for a world record to be recognised.

The short-course 100m butterfly world record remains with Canada's Marcel Gery (52.07) and the 200m mark with Frenchman Franck Esposito (1:53.05).

Pankratov broke the long-course 100 and 200m butterfly records last year.