The doctor at the centre of the controversy that led to the suspension of Rebeca Gusmao had given official warning as far back as 2003 that swimming was starting to show a level of positive tests higher than the national average across all sports in Brazil in tests conducted 'by surprise' (out-of-competition).

The sample, it has to be said, is small and relies on a level of out-of-competition testing that leaves much to be desired. In a 2003 study, which is about to be made public according to a report in the Folha de São Paulo, Dr Eduardo de Rose, swimming returned positive results in 2.6 per cent of all cases. The official statistics for that year are 39 out of competition tests and one positive. The national average for all sports is less than 1 case in 100 unannounced tests.

In 2003, 3,797 test were taken but 3,266 of those were in competition, with just 531 out of competition across all Olympic sports. Of all of those, 19 in competition and six out of competition returned positive. Perhaps the 3,266 should have been conducted out-of-competition too.

In 2007, Brazil suffered its worst doping year, with 27 positives across all Olympic sports, the latest report states. In swimming, two positives in the past few months have brought Brazil two problem tests shy of having the whole nation removed from international waters and tainting the results of clean athletes.