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Cape Town - South Africa's top swimmers were put through extensive testing by Swimming SA (SSA) in the hopes of eradicating doping in the sport in the country.
eNCA reports that at the inaugural South African Swimming Grand Prix in Stellenbosch, swimmers were put through extensive testing between events, none more so than the country's top swimmer, Chad le Clos.
According to Le Clos' father, Bert, the Olympic and Commonwealth champion was tested as much as twice in a 20 minute period after competing in two events.
This left Le Clos senior perplexed and suggested another system be put in place to avoid over-testing the swimmers in the future.
However, deputy president of SSA, Briane Reynolds explained that at any national event, such as the Swimming Grand Prix, winners of the events are randomly selected to be tested and that it would not be uncommon for them to be tested more than once during the event.
The rigorous testing is to ensure that SSA remain in line with worldwide trends in anti-doping, while also promoting the sport in the country.
Le Clos won all the races he entered in, which included the 100m freestyle on Friday and added the 100m butterfly and 200m backstroke wins on Saturday.
The second leg of the South African Swimming Grand Prix takes place in Durban this weekend.
