Russian curler failed two dope tests — source

PYEONGCHANG — Russian curler Alexander Krushelnitsky failed two drugs tests in two days at the Pyeongchang Olympics for the banned substance meldonium, a source close to the case told AFP.

Krushelnitsky, who won bronze in the mixed doubles curling with his wife Anastasia Bryzgalova, was suspended from the Olympics on Monday for failing a doping test, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced.

CAS made no mention of two tests nor did it specify the nature of the banned substance.

However, the official said Tuesday that the Russian had in fact been tested twice on two days and the banned substance in question was meldonium.

The source explained that in the rare case where a competitor is tested twice on subsequent days, the cases are treated as one violation. “If the first case has not been judged, then the two cases are treated as one,” the source said.

Krushelnitsky, who tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at the Winter Olympics, said Tuesday he had never knowingly doped and welcomed an investigation into the “shock” result. “I more than anyone else am interested in an investigation as soon as possible to find out the reasons for what has happened,” Krushelnitsky said in a statement published on the website of Russia’s curling federation.

“I am ready to confirm that not once in the time that I have been in sport have I taken any banned substance or competed dishonestly in any way,” he said.—