[2] Ustinova herself was the subject of a reprimand from Russian authorities after abnormalities occurred in a doping test when she was 14 years old.

Ustinova then competed in the FINA Swimming World Cup series in Moscow, taking the gold medal in 200 m and bronze in 50 m backstroke.

At the FINA World Cup in Chartres, Ustinova won the gold medal in women's 200 m backstroke.

[4] On 25 July 2016, Ustinova was named by FINA as an athlete who had been identified by WADA as one that had benefited from the "disappearing positive methodology", and as such FINA declared her ineligible for the 2016 Summer Olympics in accordance with the requirements issued by the International Olympic Committee the previous day.

[5] However, Ustinova appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which on 6 August allowed her to take part in the Olympics.