21.   Werner said he had heard reports that the Chinese federation had banned the seven swimmers for two years, but he was still awaiting official notification.

22.   Werner reiterated his position that there is no evidence that the Chinese federation is to blame for the spate of doping cases.

23.   Werner said FINA has no plans to take action against the Chinese federation but could recommend the suspension of any coach found involved in doping.

24.   If the governing bodies feel harsher penalties are warranted, the Chinese federations will comply, officials here said.

25.   But he added that the Chinese federation had still decided to extend the world ban to Chinese competition even though it is not obliged to.

26.   But Yuan Jiawei, deputy secretary general of the Chinese swimming federation, said it had been a longstanding decision not to hold the event.

27.   These four swimmers and three coaches have been suspended from the sport for two years by the Chinese federation, Whitten said.

28.   Vice-secretary general of the Chinese federation Liu Baijian also predicted a tough battle.

29.   The affair prompted a purge of coaches and swimmers by the Chinese federation and China took only one swimming gold at the Atlanta Games last year.

30.   The Chinese federations will report the bans to their respective international governing bodies.