Swimmer Chris Walker-Hebborn awarded European silver medal after Russian Vitaly Melnikov receives doping ban
University of Bath-based swimmer Chris Walker-Hebborn has been awarded a European Short-Course Championships silver medal after a Russian opponent was given a doping ban.
The 24-year-old – who is coached by Dave McNulty and Graeme Antwhistle at the National Training Centre, based in the Sports Training Village – finished joint-third in the 100m backstroke behind Vitaly Melnikov at the championships in December 2013.
However, Melnikov tested positive for banned substance EPO and has now received a two-year ban, as well as being stripped of his individual silver and relay gold medals.
Walker-Hebborn has been upgraded to the silver medal along with Camille Lacourt of France.
“A year and a half later, I go from bronze to silver. Not the same getting it now…” tweeted Walker-Hebborn, who has trained at Bath since the elite centre opened in 2009.
The London 2012 Legacy Pool will reopen at the Sports Training Village on April 22, 2015 after a major refurbishment.
