The International Swimming Federation (FINA) announced on Thursday that Rebeca Gusmao's suspension for doping will be upheld for the duration of two years.

The swimmer has now lost all hopes and optimism of participating in the Beijing Olympic Games.

Just days ago, the Arbitrary Court of Sports announced that they had absolved her case due to their lack of jurisdiction in Brazil, spurring the athlete's hopes of brining back an Olympic medal.

The International Swimming Federation declared that the suspension be effected immediately.

She has officially been on suspension since November 2, 2007 when she was placed on a preventative suspension. The test she took during the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro last year came up positive, resulting in the decision to uphold the suspension.

Despite the FINA's decision, the swimmer's lawyer, Breno Tannuri, claims that he will appeal the decision.

"She will present the Arbitrary Court of Sports with an appeal and demand that our case be examined," he said.

"If the appeal is accepted, we will ask that the examination be done urgently. We won't give up. Even if there is two hours left before the Olympics start, we won't give up," said the lawyer.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)