This text goals to make clear the occasions surrounding Antani Ivanov‘s suspensions in essentially the most clear and goal method, with none private judgment. Given the complexity of the case, the aim is to current verified info and official statements from all events concerned, permitting readers to perceive the state of affairs in full. We have now acquired official paperwork from each events concerned, together with the Bulgarian Swimming Federation (BFPS), and Ivanov’s authorized representatives. This reconstruction relies completely on these paperwork, making certain a factual and complete overview of the occasions.
A couple of weeks in the past, World Aquatics formally confirmed and prolonged the suspension of Bulgarian swimmer Antani Ivanov till March 2026.
The choice, dated Might 23, 2024, consists of Ivanov’s interval of ineligibility not solely as a result of his earlier suspension for lacking doping checks but additionally for a brand new cost of misconduct in opposition to the Bulgarian Swimming Federation (BFPS). Ivanov, identified for his public allegations of doping and corruption in Bulgarian sports activities, now finds himself on the middle of a dispute that extends past the aggressive swimming enviornment.
Chronology of Antani Ivanov’s Suspensions and Disciplinary Points
1. First Suspension – 2021 (Three-Yr Ban)
In 2021, Antani Ivanov was suspended by the Bulgarian Swimming Federation for 3 years for damaging the repute of the federation, athletes, coaches, and board members.
The suspension adopted his public protection of three Bulgarian swimmers (Blagoy Panayotov, Zdravko Bablakov, and Svetlozar Nikolov), who had examined constructive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, and had been banned for doping.
Throughout this era, Ivanov brazenly criticized the Bulgarian Swimming Federation, the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, and the Anti-Doping Heart, which can have contributed to his punishment
2. Second Suspension – January 30, 2024 (Two-Yr Ban)
The Disciplinary Fee of the Bulgarian Swimming Federation sanctioned Ivanov with a two-year suspension and a 1,000 BGN fantastic.
The suspension was imposed as a result of violations of Article 26 and Article 31 of the Federation’s Disciplinary Code, which prohibit disrespectful public statements in direction of the Federation and its management
Ivanov made a number of media appearances and social media posts criticizing the Federation, resulting in disciplinary motion.
On Might 23, 2024, World Aquatics formally acknowledged and prolonged the suspension worldwide till March 14, 2026
3. Arrest for Marijuana Possession – Might 2024
Antani Ivanov was arrested in Blagoevgrad for possession of a small quantity of marijuana. He was detained together with Blagoy Panayotov, a swimmer beforehand suspended for doping.
Regardless of the arrest, he was launched the identical day and continued coaching.
4. Third Suspension – August 12, 2024 (Further Two-Yr Ban)
The Disciplinary Fee of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee discovered that Ivanov violated anti-doping guidelines by competing in a triathlon occasion on September 2, 2023, regardless of his ongoing suspension.
In consequence, he acquired an extra two-year suspension, beginning June 8, 2025.
Throughout this era, he stays topic to anti-doping checks
5. Conviction for Defamation and Insult – February 4, 2025
The Sofia District Courtroom discovered Antani Ivanov responsible of defamation and insult in opposition to Georgi Avramchev, President of the Bulgarian Swimming Federation.
On September 20, 2023, Ivanov allegedly insulted Avramchev on Fb, calling him “Mr. Oligophren” and accusing him of corruption and theft
The court docket ruling included:
- A 5,000 BGN fantastic.
- An extra 3,000 BGN fantastic to cowl Avramchev’s authorized charges.
- A public reprimand, with the court docket ruling printed on the Sofia District Courtroom’s web site
.Affirmation of Suspension
World Aquatics upheld and validated the extra disciplinary sanction imposed by the BFPS in March 2024. The Bulgarian federation deemed Ivanov’s statements defamatory and dangerous to the group’s repute. Particularly, his accusations in opposition to younger swimmer Petar Mitsin and alleged doping practices had been discovered to lack concrete proof, violating the code of sporting integrity.
Notice: The Bulgarian Swimming Federation just lately submitted particulars of the disciplinary choice to SwimSwam, specifying that the sanction was issued for “defamatory actions” and for “injury to the federation’s picture.”
Ivanov was already serving a suspension till October 2024 for lacking doping checks. This extra disciplinary measure now extends his ineligibility to compete till March 2026. This newest growth might considerably affect the profession of the 24-year-old butterfly specialist, whose trajectory has been marked by years of controversy and disputes with Bulgarian sports activities authorities.
Antani Ivanov‘s Assertion
In response to the suspension, Ivanov reached out to SwimSwam Italia in current days. His authorized consultant, Georgi Gradev, a associate at SILA Worldwide Attorneys, offered official documentation associated to the case. Ivanov additionally issued a press release, saying:
I wish to deal with the big injustice I’ve suffered by the hands of the Bulgarian Swimming Federation (BFPS) and World Aquatics (WA). I’ve been sanctioned twice for a similar alleged violation: talking out in opposition to the failures of the BFPS, notably concerning its president, Georgi Avramchev, on doping scandals and the mismanagement of the federation.
The BFPS Govt Committee initially imposed an unlawful three-year suspension and a fantastic of two,000 BGN, with none authorized foundation below its personal statutes. When this choice was challenged, the BFPS Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Avramchev himself, diminished the sanction to 2 years and a fantastic of 1,000 BGN. This course of was severely flawed: I used to be denied the appropriate to be heard, the appropriate to enchantment, and confronted an evident battle of curiosity, with Avramchev performing as each accuser and decide.
World Aquatics has worsened this injustice by globally implementing the BFPS choice, blatantly ignoring its personal Integrity Code (Article 36.2), which prohibits recognizing selections that violate elementary authorized ideas. Even worse, WA misled my authorized workforce by suggesting that the enchantment needs to be filed with a Swiss civil court docket somewhat than the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), regardless of realizing this was the wrong jurisdiction. This dangerous religion motion additional disadvantaged me of a good alternative to defend myself.
This complete course of represents an assault on my freedom of speech and a transparent try and silence criticism of the BFPS management and systemic points in Bulgarian swimming. My statements had been made to spotlight actual issues that hurt our sport, and I stand by my proper to talk out for constructive change. I’m decided to battle this injustice in Swiss courts, to reveal the hypocrisy, double requirements, and lack of accountability demonstrated by each BFPS and WA. I demand the fast lifting of the worldwide ban and an impartial overview of those actions. I can’t cease till justice is served and the ideas of equity and integrity are upheld in sport.
Bulgarian Swimming Federation’s Response
Following the publication of our earlier article on the matter, the Bulgarian Swimming Federation issued an official assertion despatched through e-mail to SwimSwam to make clear its place and problem Ivanov’s claims.
Based on the federation, Ivanov not solely missed three doping checks but additionally participated within the Lion Coronary heart Triathlon in September 2023 whereas already suspended. This violation led to an extra extension of his ineligibility till 2027.
The BFPS assertion reads:
As of as we speak, Ivanov is serving a two-year sanction imposed by the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) for violating anti-doping guidelines and lacking three doping controls. The sanction was handed down by the Bulgarian Olympic Committee’s Disciplinary Fee and is about to run out on June 8, 2025. Ivanov’s appeals to the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport and the Swiss Federal Tribunal resulted within the sanction being upheld.
Throughout his lively sanction and full prohibition from collaborating in sports activities competitions, Ivanov took half within the Lion Coronary heart Triathlon in September 2023. This led to an extra suspension, now extending his ineligibility to June 2027.
Moreover, the federation argues that Ivanov has repeatedly unfold unfounded accusations in opposition to the BFPS, WADA, the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, and the Ministry of Sport, damaging the repute of Bulgarian swimming. The BFPS asserts that Ivanov was given the chance to current his protection earlier than the Disciplinary Fee, however he declined to take action.
The BFPS assertion continues:
Ivanov’s assaults have been directed at well-respected professionals, legendary athletes, and leaders in Bulgarian sports activities. The first goal of his insults has been Bulgarian Olympic Committee President Georgi Avramchev. Nevertheless, he has additionally accused former Bulgarian Olympic Committee President Stefka Kostadinova, three Ministers of Sport, and members of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee’s Disciplinary Fee of incompetence.
The federation additionally rejects allegations of conflicts of curiosity, stating that Avramchev abstained from voting on Ivanov’s sanction. The choice was subsequently confirmed by the Administrative Courtroom of Veliko Tarnovo and the Courtroom of Enchantment in Sofia, reinforcing its legitimacy.
Social Media Assaults
In current months, Ivanov has used social media to precise his opposition to the Bulgarian Swimming Federation and different sports activities authorities.
By means of posts and public statements, he has accused the BFPS of being a corrupt group, arguing that the nationwide sports activities system is suffering from favoritism and irregularities. His most pointed criticisms have been geared toward particular sports activities officers, together with federation president Georgi Avramchev, whom he has described as “an impediment to transparency and justice in Bulgarian sport.”
The BFPS has responded by stating that these assaults represent reputational injury and that Ivanov’s claims are unsubstantiated and lack proof.
Ivanov’s Profession Highlights
Ivanov skilled his main breakthrough as a 17-year-old on the 2017 World Championships, breaking a nationwide document within the 200 fly heats (1:55.55) earlier than turning into the primary Bulgarian swimmer to make a Worlds closing in a decade. He received bronze on the 2017 World Junior Championships later that summer time and went on to make consecutive 200 fly finals on the 2018 Brief Course World Championships, 2019 World Championships, and 2021 Brief Course Worlds. A 2022 graduate of Virginia Tech, Ivanov didn’t make it out of the heats on the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, ending seventeenth in 1:57.00.
Conclusion
Antani Ivanov has been suspended a number of occasions:
- 2021-2024 (Three-Yr Suspension)
- 2024-2026 (Two-Yr Suspension)
- 2025-2027 (Further Two-Yr Suspension)
As well as, he was convicted of defamation and publicly reprimanded by a Bulgarian court docket. His complete interval of ineligibility extends at the very least till 2027.
