Winter Olympics: Russia curler Alexander Krushelnitsky stripped of bronze for doping
Winter Olympics: Russia curler Alexander Krushelnitsky stripped of bronze for doping
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| Winter Olympics: Russia curler Alexander Krushelnitsky stripped of bronze for doping |
Russian roller Alexander Krushelnitsky has been stripped of his Olympiad decoration when being found guilty of doping.
The 25-year-old was one amongst 168 Russians allowed to contend as neutrals at the Games despite the country being prohibited for previous doping offences.
Krushelnitsky, WHO won mixed-doubles bronze with adult female Anastasia Bryzgalova, tested positive for meldonium.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport aforesaid he admitted the anti-doping violation.
With Krushelnitsky and Bryzgalova's third place annulled, once the decoration is formally reallocated it'll move to Scandinavian nation.
The International Olympic Committee prohibited Russia from this month's Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea over "systemic" doping at Sochi 2014, that Russia hosted.
But athletes WHO might prove they were clean were allowed to contend as Olympic athletes from Russia (OAR). The team of 168 was the third biggest behind North American country and also the us.
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On Tuesday, the implement team aforesaid a criminal investigation had been opened into Krushelnitsky's positive take a look at.
It aforesaid there was "no proof of the systematic usage of meldonium", which he came back a transparent sample on twenty two Gregorian calendar month, once the team's curlers were tested before flying bent South Korea.
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It supplemental that "unbiased results" of the analysis of Krushelnitsky's samples showed a amount of meldonium "indicative of taking it once" which might be "absolutely useless and ineffective within the context of enhancing physical performance or sports results".
Meldonium, a substance that will increase blood flow and improves exercise capability, was supplemental to the planet Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list in 2016.
Analysis
BBC sports news correspondent Alex Capstick in Pyeongchang
In the end, the decision was a formality. There was no various once Krushelnitsky accepted a doping violation had been committed, despite his claims that it wasn't deliberate.
So however can the ban influence the IOC's call on whether or not to carry Russia's suspension? we have a tendency to solely recognize that it'll be one amongst variety of things taken into consideration by AN implementation cluster that has been observation the behaviour of implement competitors throughout the Games.
It is chaired by Nicole Hoevertsz, a former synchronised swimmer from island, WHO created it clear that something is feasible. "We're not excluding any choices," we have a tendency to were told as she was whisked through the lobby of the IOC's edifice.
So what square measure those options? Apparently it is not a straightforward affirmative or no. It appears a partial reprieve is additionally on the table, no matter meaning.
And what to create of a gathering on Wed between IOC leader Thomas Bach and Russian government official Igor Levitin, WHO conjointly happens to be AN aide to president Vladimir Putin? The IOC stressed the discussion lasted four minutes and was to congratulate Levitin on his birthday, however it conjointly came hours before Krushelnitsky's agreement to not contest the doping charge.
Members of the IOC's government board are reluctant to specific their opinions till they need seen the ultimate report. however what's clear is that their ruling on weekday is turning into progressively tough to predict.