Positive drug test puts Russia under the microscope again
A Russian athlete who won a bronze medal in curling at the Winter Olympics failed a preliminary doping test, putting in jeopardy his medal and Russia’s efforts to move past a vast, state-backed cheating scheme that left it nominally barred from the Games, according to a New York Times.
The athlete, Alexander Krushelnytsky, who competed in mixed doubles curling with his wife, is the first athlete from Russia to come under investigation for using a banned substance in Pyeongchang.
Traces of meldonium, a heart medicine that increases blood flow and has been banned from most sports since 2016, were found in a routine urine sample. A second test will be conducted to confirm the finding, according to a statement from an organization representing the Olympic Athletes from Russia, the designation given to more than 160 Russian athletes who had been cleared to compete at the games under that name.
Representatives of Olympic Athletes from Russia confirmed one of their athletes was under investigation and an official with knowledge of the case but who was not authorized to publicly speak about it confirmed it was Krushelnytsky.
The timing could not be worse for Russia.
The nation was barred from the Olympics in December after an investigation into a state-backed doping program that corrupted the 2014 Olympics it hosted in Sochi. Scores of athletes, coaches and officials tainted by the scandal have been barred, though the International Olympic Committee has been considering allowing the Russian athletes to march under their national flag and in their country’s uniforms for the closing ceremony, which they were not permitted to do during the opening ceremony.
Rippon turns down NBC’s job offer
American figure skater Adam Rippon agreed to become an NBC correspondent for the duration of the Olympic Games, but then changed his mind overnight.
He told NBCSN on Sunday that he was flattered by the offer, “but if I took this opportunity, I would have to leave the Olympic team and I would have to leave the (Olympic) Village.”
He said his friends on the Olympic team were there for him during his events and he wanted to return the favor.
Women’s hockey to grow by 2 teams
The women’s hockey tournament will increase from eight to 10 teams for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel confirmed the change at a news conference today. Fasel said the Beijing organizing committee requested the addition of two teams.
The move will help allow China to have a team in the tournament.
Wisniewski’s father contracts norovirus
Amid precautions to prevent infection at the Pyeongchang Olympics, U.S. hockey defenseman James Wisniewski said his father has norovirus.
Wisniewski said his dad, Jim, who is 62, began feeling the effects of norovirus Saturday and is in quarantine.
Officials have recommended players fistbump each other rather than shaking hands because norovirus is so contagious.
The local organizing committee had reported 199 confirmed cases of norovirus as of a week ago. At the beginning of the Games, thousands of security workers were kept in their rooms because of norovirus concerns at a youth training center where they were staying.
South Korea skaters from U.S. advance
Two Americans who are representing South Korea made the cut Sunday for the free dance competition. Yura Min has Korean heritage, and her partner, Alexander Gamelin, passed a citizenship test to become eligible.
Min bawled when she saw the short dance numbers from the judges.
She said, “All we could ask for was to put out our best performance, and we did. It’s the most amazing feeling.”
Min had a wardrobe malfunction during the team short dance, with a hook popping at the beginning of the routine.
She fought through, keeping the costume up for the entire program despite having thoughts of stopping.
No such worries this time.