Volleyball Suspensions Are Reversed : Drug bans: Governing bodies cite errors, reverse decision on over-the-counter stimulant.

Drug-related suspensions of Mike Whitmarsh and Scott Friederichsen, Olympic hopefuls in beach volleyball, were lifted Monday by the International Volleyball Federation because of miscommunication between the international federation and USA Volleyball.

Whitmarsh, of San Diego, and Friederichsen, of Laguna Hills, tested positive for the banned stimulant pseudoephedrine--commonly found in over-the-counter cold medicines--at an Olympic trials qualifying tournament July 16 at Hermosa Beach. Pseudoephedrine is found in many decongestants, cough and allergy medications, and, if taken in large amounts, serves as a stimulant.

The federation ordered a three-month suspension, but did not apply it because certain formalities were not observed by USA Volleyball.

“We have our own international procedures and the U.S. has its own,” FIVB spokesman Alain Coupat told the Associated Press. “There was a mix-up between the two procedures. In order to avoid legal proceedings, the suspension will not go into effect.”

John Carroll, executive director of USA Volleyball, said the mix-up occurred when test results from a UCLA lab weren’t made readily available to the FIVB by USA Volleyball. Friederichsen has since played in another qualifying tournament in Spain--finishing ninth with partner Jon Stevenson.

Don Catlin, director of the UCLA Olympic drug testing laboratory, said the lab sent the results to USA Volleyball in plenty of time for the players’ Oct. 10 hearing.

The suspension was considered harsh for first-time offenders. Under USA Volleyball rules, pseudoephedrine is a Class B banned substance and its use is punished by ordering a player to undergo counseling.

Stevenson, AVP president, said the FIVB’s decision jeopardizes Whitmarsh’s Olympic hopes.

Although the suspensions were lifted, Whitmarsh and Friederichsen still have to sacrifice qualifying points and prize money.

Whitmarsh earned $20,000 in prize money for winning the Hermosa Beach tournament with partner Mike Dodd, beating Friederichsen and Eric Wurts of Huntington Beach, 12-3, 12-3, in the finals. Friederichsen also lost the points and prize money, but qualified for the trials based on his finish in Spain.

“Prior to the ruling, both Mike and Scott had accumulated enough points to participate in the Olympic trials,” Stevenson said in a news release. “As a result of the ruling, only Scott is now assured entry.”

Whitmarsh can still qualify for the Olympics by playing in two other FIVB tournaments later this year.

Friederichsen and Whitmarsh could not be reached for comment. They appeared at a hearing in Los Angeles and did not deny the presence of the banned substance in their urine samples, FIVB officials said.

The Association of Volleyball Professionals tour, in which Friederichsen has played for 10 years and Whitmarsh for five, does not test its players but adheres to drug policies set by USA Volleyball.

Times staff writer Irene Garcia contributed to this story.