Rio de Janeiro: The Olympic pool has been rocked by reports that Chinese swimmer Chen Xinyi has failed a doping test.
The 18-year-old was set to be the subject of a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday night, reports Estadao, a major Brazilian newspaper. A FINA spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by Fairfax Media.
If true, the news will only further inflame the already volatile mood at the Olympic pool, which has seen unprecedented drama as athletes speak out about doping.
Chen finished fourth in the women's 100m butterfly final and was due to swim in the heats of the 50m freestyle event on Friday morning in Rio.
Reports suggest she was tested prior to arriving in Rio and swam without knowing the result of the alleged positive result. It was further reported that she was told of the positive two days ago and has taken the case to CAS to attempt to avoid a suspension.
Chinese swimmers have already been in the spotlight in Rio since Australia's 400m freestyle champion Mack Horton called rival and silver medallist Sun Yang a "drug cheat" prior to their race.
Sun was suspended for three months in 2014 but said he was taking angina medication that wasn't previously on the WADA list of banned substances.
If confirmed, Chen would be the first Chinese athlete to test positive at an Olympics since 1992.