Marko Strahija

Marko Strahija (born 28 May 1975 in Zagreb) is a backstroke swimmer from Croatia, who competed at three Summer Olympics between 1996 and 2008.[1]

Marko Strahija
Personal information
Born28 May 1975 (1975-05-28) (age 48)
Zagreb
Height200 cm (6 ft 7 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing  Croatia
World Championships (SC)
Silver medal – second place 2002 Moscow 200 m backstroke
European Championships (LC)
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Berlin 200 m backstroke
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal – first place 2001 Tunis 200 m backstroke
Silver medal – second place 2001 Tunis 4x100 m medley

Early career

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.

Doping suspension and exoneration

Strahija's urine sample, taken in an out-of-competition control in July 2002, tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (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.[2][3] 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.[4] He made a successful recovery, taking part in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Olympic results
Olympic results
Event 1996 Atlanta 2000 Sydney 2004 Athens 2008 Beijing
100 metre backstroke  — 18th
56.26		 — 34th
55.89
200 metre backstroke  11th
2:01.84		 9th
1:59.85		 — —
4 × 200 metre freestyle relay  13th
7:43.69		 — — —

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Marko Strahija". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2016-12-04.
  2. "Archived copy" (PDF). www.vjesnik.hr. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2003. Retrieved 13 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2004-11-27. Retrieved 2004-11-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Marko Strahija Doping Suspension Lifted". 29 February 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
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