Hungary's swimming federation cleared former Olympic champion Agnes Kovacs of doping charges yesterday after she failed to produce an adequate urine sample before dashing to a meeting with UNICEF.

The federation said 2000 Olympics 200m breaststroke champion Kovacs did not violate anti-doping rules at an out-of-competition test as she provided an adequate excuse, state news agency MTI said.

Kovacs was tested on October 30 and only produced 25 millilitres of urine, a third of the required amount, before she said she had to leave for a meeting with UNICEF officials, who had asked her to become a goodwill ambassador.

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