Russian medallist leaves amid doping suspicion
A Russian medallist suspected of doping has left the Winter Olympics in a case that could jeopardise the nation’s efforts to draw a line under a years-long drug-cheating scandal.
Alexander Krushelnitsky, who competes in curling, one of the Games’ least physically taxing sports, is suspected of testing positive for meldonium, a banned substance that increases blood flow and improves exercise capacity.
He is awaiting the results of analysis of his B sample, expected late last night, before a violation can be confirmed, a source said. Krushelnitsky won a bronze medal with his wife in mixed doubles at the PyeongChang Games.
Russian Olympic delegation spokesman Konstantin Vybornov said that he had surrendered his Games accreditation pending B sample results.
Russia has been accused of running a state-sponsored and systematic doping programme for years, an allegation Moscow denies.
Suspicions of a doping violation have stunned the Russian team and also the sport, where steady hands and sharp eyes outweigh physical fitness.
“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, adding that the team believed Krushelnitsky was innocent.
“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 curling federation president Dmitry Svishchev said Russian curlers had been tested on January 22 before flying out to South Korea and the tests were negative.
“I have known these guys for many years. Only a crazy person takes banned substances before a competition, before the Olympics,” Svishchev said.