According to the Australian Daily Telegraph, fellow Olympians Thomas Fraser-Holmes and Jarrod Poort are also been investigated for missing three out-of-competition tests.

Groves,  the winner of silver medals in the women's 200 metres butterfly and 4x100m medley at Rio 2016, allegedly missed her third test in San Diego.

It is claimed that the drug tester from the International Swimming Federation (FINA) was unable to locate the swimmer at her accommodation in the American city.

The tester reportedly left after an hour after trying to make contact with Groves by telephone.

Fraser-Holmes claimed an ­extended dinner at his mother's house had prevented him from making the nominated window for a test.

The swimmer, who competed in the 400m individual medley and 200m freestyle at London 2012 and Rio 2016, claimed he changed the nominated whereabouts time being leaving the house but no testers were then present.

Open water swimmer Poort is also reportedly facing the prospect of a sanction.

"Swimming Australia confirms it has recently been informed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and FINA that members of the Australian Dolphins Swim team may have failed to update their whereabouts appropriately over the previous 12-month period," a Swimming Australia statement said.

"ASADA and FINA are yet to finalise their processes and to confirm the final outcomes in relation to these matters.

"Under ASADA and FINA rules, Swimming Australia is unable to announce details on any individual swimmers who may have failed to update their whereabouts appropriately until ASADA and FINA have completed their process."

Sports lawyer Tim Fuller, who will represent Groves and Fraser-Holmes, suggested to the Australian Daily Telegraph that the swimmers might have been targeted.

"It's interesting that FINA have targeted two athletes who have never returned a positive test for a prohibited substance," he said.

"Seemingly they are going after them for an alleged technical breach."

Should the swimmers receive a sanction, they could miss the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year.

Last month, Olympic 100 metres hurdles champion Brianna Rollins was banned for a year by the United States Anti-Doping Agency for missing three out-of-competition tests.

Rollins was the highest profile athlete to be banned for the offence since Britain's Christine Ohuruogu in 2006.

She was also banned for a year but returned in 2007 to win the 400m at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in Osaka, only 24 days after her suspension ended.

A year later Ohuruogu added the Olympic title.