Olympics: Swimmer Jaben's 'A' sample comes out positive in drug test

The 22-year-old, who made aliya from the US, is now praying that the result of the B sample will be negative.

By ALLON SINAI
max jaben 88 (photo credit: )
max jaben 88
(photo credit: )
Max Jaben's Olympic dream seems to be over after it was revealed on Monday that the A sample of a drug test taken from the swimmer in April has been found to be positive. The 22-year-old, who made aliya from the US after competing at the 2005 Maccabiah games, is now praying that the result of the B sample will be negative. The odds, however, aren't with Jaben, as in all likelihood the B sample will return with the same result as the first, resulting in a suspension. It is not know which substance was found in the sample. "The Israel Swimming Association was notified on Sunday by the Olympic Committee of Israel that the A sample from a test given to Jaben on April 30 has found to be positive," the ISA said in a statement on Monday. "The ISA immediately updated the swimmer and national team coach Leonid Kaufman. The ISA is taking the positive test very seriously, but is not rushing to judge the swimmer. We will work according to all the International regulations and procedures." Jaben booked his place in the Olympics by finishing in 11th position in the 200 meters freestyle race at March's European Championships, setting an Israeli record time of 1:49.48 minutes.