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News > Sport

Olympics: Russian Bronze Medalist Curler Suspected of Doping

  • Russia has been accused of running a state-backed, systematic doping program.

    Russia has been accused of running a state-backed, systematic doping program. | Photo: Reuters

Published 19 February 2018
Opinion

Krushelnitsky possibly returning a positive result is perplexing to spectators since curling is generally not a physically demanding sport.

According to reports, a Russian competitor at the Pyeongchang Winter Games is suspected of doping.

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A team official said the athlete left the games under a cloud of suspicion, which could jeopardize the country's Olympic future. Alexander Krushelnitsky, who competes in curling, is suspected of testing positive for meldonium – a banned substance that increases blood flow and improves exercise capacity.

“We were all shocked when we found out yesterday. Of course, we very much hope it was some kind of mistake,” Russian curler Viktoria Moiseeva said. “With us, it’s not faster, higher, stronger; it’s about being more accurate. I can’t imagine what kind of drugs you could use in curling ... so it’s very hard to believe.”

Russian delegation spokesman Konstantin Vybornov told Reuters that the athlete had handed over his accreditation and left the Olympic village to await the result of the B sample, which is due late Monday.

Krushelnitsky possibly returning a positive result is perplexing to spectators since curling is generally not a physically demanding sport. “I hope it’s not true ... for the sport of curling,” said Norwegian team skipper Thomas Ulsrud, whose team would stand to pick up the bronze if the doping result is confirmed.

“If it’s true I feel really sad for the Norwegian team who worked really hard and ended up in fourth place and just left for Norway and they aren’t even here.”

Russia's women’s curling coach, Sergei Belanov, dismissed the accusation. “Alexander is not stupid, so I don’t believe it.” Krushelnitsky and his wife Anastasia Bryzgalova are newly minted bronze medalists in mixed-doubles.

Russia has been accused of running a state-backed, systematic doping program for years, an allegation Moscow repeatedly denies. As a result of the ban, Russian athletes are competing at Pyeongchang as neutral “Olympic Athletes from Russia.” The Russian flag and anthem are not prohibited.

“It’s a catastrophe if it’s not just one Olympics but others too – it will throw sport in our country into turmoil. It’s awful just to think about, to be honest,” Moiseeva stated.

The International Olympic Committee said any doping violation would be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Meldonium became widely known after multiple-Grand-Slam-winning Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova served a 15-month ban after she tested positive for its use. 

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