Marko Strahija
Encyclopedia
Marko Strahija (born May 28, 1975 in Zagreb
) is a backstroke
swimmer from Croatia
, who competed at two Summer Olympics, starting in 1996
.
Marko attended The Ohio State University and held university records in the 100 and 200 backstroke before the times were eclipsed by RJ Lemyre.
In Atlanta, United States
, he finished in 11th position (B-Final) in the Men's 200 m backstroke, and was eliminated in the heats of the Men's 4×200 m freestyle relay, alongside Gordan Kožulj
, Miroslav Vučetić, and Marijan Kanjer
. Strahija won the silver medal, behind Aaron Peirsol
of the United States
, in the 200 m backstroke at the 2002 FINA Short Course World Championships
.
(hCG). Since hCG is a known tumor marker
, Strahija underwent medical tests that found nothing suspicious. He maintained his innocence and disputed scientific validity of testing for hCG. Nevertheless, in 2003 he received a two-year suspension.
In October 2007 Strahija again tested positive for hCG, which caused him to miss the European Short Course Championships
held in December that year. This time, subsequent medical tests found testicular cancer
, and Strahija immediately underwent surgery. In February 2008, the International Swimming Federation
exonerated Strahija, lifting his provisional suspension. He made a successful recovery, taking part in the 2008 Summer Olympics
.
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
) is a backstroke
Backstroke
The backstroke, also sometimes called the back crawl, is one of the four swimming styles regulated by FINA, and the only regulated style swum on the back. This has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of swimmers not being able to see where they are going. It is also the only...
swimmer from Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, who competed at two Summer Olympics, starting in 1996
Swimming at the 1996 Summer Olympics
The swimming competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was held at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, United States, which was built for the Games...
.
Marko attended The Ohio State University and held university records in the 100 and 200 backstroke before the times were eclipsed by RJ Lemyre.
In Atlanta, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he finished in 11th position (B-Final) in the Men's 200 m backstroke, and was eliminated in the heats of the Men's 4×200 m freestyle relay, alongside Gordan Kožulj
Gordan Kožulj
Gordan Kožulj is a former backstroke swimmer from Croatia, who competed in four consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country, starting in 1996....
, Miroslav Vučetić, and Marijan Kanjer
Marijan Kanjer
Marijan Kanjer is a freestyle swimmer from Croatia, who competed in two consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country, starting in 1996.-References:*...
. Strahija won the silver medal, behind Aaron Peirsol
Aaron Peirsol
Aaron Wells Peirsol is a former American swimmer who specialized in the backstroke. He is a three-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medalist . As part of the American team, he holds the world record in the 4×100-meter medley relay...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in the 200 m backstroke at the 2002 FINA Short Course World Championships
2002 FINA Short Course World Championships
The 6th FINA Short Course World Championships were held in Moscow, Russia from Wednesday April 3 till Sunday April 7, 2002. The event took place in the 25m-pool of the renovated Olympiiski-complex, which also hosted the swimming event at the 1980 Summer Olympics...
.
Doping suspension and exoneration
Strahija's urine sample, taken in an out-of-competition control in July 2002, tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropinHuman chorionic gonadotropin
Human chorionic gonadotropin or human chorionic gonadotrophin is a glycoprotein hormone produced during pregnancy that is made by the developing embryo after conception and later by the syncytiotrophoblast .. Some tumors make this hormone; measured elevated levels when the patient is not...
(hCG). Since hCG is a known tumor marker
Tumor marker
A tumor marker is a substance found in the blood, urine, or body tissues that can be elevated in cancer, among other tissue types. There are many different tumor markers, each indicative of a particular disease process, and they are used in oncology to help detect the presence of cancer...
, Strahija underwent medical tests that found nothing suspicious. He maintained his innocence and disputed scientific validity of testing for hCG. Nevertheless, in 2003 he received a two-year suspension.
In October 2007 Strahija again tested positive for hCG, which caused him to miss the European Short Course Championships
European Short Course Swimming Championships 2007
The European Short Course Swimming Championships 2007 was the fifteenth edition of the European Short Course Swimming Championships, held in Debrecen, Hungary between 13–16 December...
held in December that year. This time, subsequent medical tests found testicular cancer
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system.In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year. In the UK, approximately 2,000 men are diagnosed each year. Over his lifetime, a man's risk of...
, and Strahija immediately underwent surgery. In February 2008, the International Swimming Federation
International Swimming Federation
Fédération Internationale de Natation is the International Federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee for administering international competition in the aquatic sports...
exonerated Strahija, lifting his provisional suspension. He made a successful recovery, taking part in the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
.