Swimming: Thorpe's doping case dropped

SYDNEY - Swimming's global governing body has finished its pursuit of Ian Thorpe over his unusual doping test results.

FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu told The Australian newspaper the organisation had closed its books on the case just over two months after the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority said the retired swimmer had no case to answer.

"We are not continuing the case," Marculescu said.

"There's not sufficient evidence to take further action.

"We have informed CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) and ASADA."

A test conducted on Thorpe in May last year found unusually high levels of naturally occurring hormones.

FINA had threatened to take the case to CAS if it felt there was evidence of a doping violation by the swimmer who quit the sport last November.

Swimming Australia (SA) chief executive Glenn Tasker was pleased with FINA's decision not to drag the matter out any longer.

"We were always convinced that the scientific evidence would support Ian's case," Tasker said.

"I believe people in Australia will be satisfied that Ian has been vindicated.

"But the world of sport is so naturally suspicious these days that overseas there might still be a cloud of doubt, which is a shame."

- AAP