KAZAN, Russia (AP) Nearly a year later, British swimmer Adam Peaty's world record in the 50-meter breaststroke isn't ratified.
Records usually take weeks to be made official, but Peaty's mark of 26.62 seconds at the European Championships in Berlin last August hasn't been approved by FINA because he was not tested at the time for the blood-booster EPO.
It was a simple administrative error because a box was not checked on the drug-testing form, FINA honorary secretary Paolo Barelli, who is in charge of the issue, told The Associated Press.
''The form for world records includes a test for EPO,'' Barelli said. ''The lab analysis performed in Germany didn't do it because there wasn't an `X' on the tiny box for EPO.''
Barelli suggested that British Swimming should appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
''They have every reason to,'' Barelli said. ''It's not the British federation's or the kid's fault. It was an administrative error.''
British Swimming, however, is still waiting for an official announcement from FINA on the issue.
''I've heard nothing,'' British Swimming chief David Sparkes said. ''We'll decide when they tell us why they have not ratified it. ... There are a range of options open to us.''
In the meantime, Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa keeps his record of 26.67 set in 2009 at the height of the rubberized suit era.
The 50 breast is not an Olympic event.
''The problem is that the rule is the rule,'' FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu said.
Peaty's world record of 57.92 in the 100 breast, set in April, has been ratified.
Meanwhile, Peaty will look to improve both times at the world championships in Kazan, where the traditional swimming events open Sunday.
