Breaststroke Record-Holder Riley Failed Drug Test at Meet in Rio

BRISBANE, Australia —  Australian swimmer Samantha Riley, a leading contender for this year’s Atlanta Olympics, failed a drug test, the sport’s domestic governing body confirmed Monday.

Australian Swimming said FINA, swimming’s international governing body, was investigating a positive drug test involving a headache tablet taken by Riley, the world-record holder in the 100-meter breaststroke.

Riley tested positive at the world short-course championships in Rio de Janeiro late last year.

She was not immediately available for comment, but her coach, Scott Volkers, said Riley apparently had taken headache medication that contained an illegal component, dextropropoxyphene.

Riley, 23, won three gold medals and set two records at the Rio meet in December.