Swim Leaders Hit Drugs

Taking what it called “a dramatic step,” world swimming’s governing body has approved tougher sanctions on drug use with an eye to next summer’s Olympics.

The International Swimming Federation, known as FINA, voted to extend to four years a mandatory ban on first-time steroid users. The current suspension is two years.

The change means swimmers who flunk drug tests will automatically miss an Olympic Games.

FINA also ruled that swimmers who test positive for banned substances will lose all “medals, victories and accomplishments” in the preceding 12 months.