Russia loses 2 more Olympic silvers

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND

» Russia has lost two more Olympic medals from Sochi because of doping, and luge has now been touched by the scandal for the first time.

Albert Demchenko, a luger who won two silver medals at the Sochi Games, was among 11 athletes disqualified by the International Olympic Committee on Friday and banned from the games for life.

Demchenko won silver in men’s luge and as part of the team relay. Also banned Friday was Tatiana Ivanova, who was also part of the team relay.

They were among the last 11 rulings on the 46 current doping cases reviewed by the IOC. Lugers from Italy, Germany, Latvia and Canada are set to be upgraded in the medals.

The International Luge Federation had no immediate comment about the IOC decisions. FIL President Josef Fendt said in recent weeks that he believes the Russians sliding now are clean — a comment that was appreciated by Demchenko, who is now a coach within the Russian federation.

“On one page, it makes you question everything that their entire program has done,” said 2014 Olympic women’s bronze medalist Erin Hamlin of the U.S., whose medal placing will not be affected by Friday’s decisions.

“At the same time, I beat a lot of them. So you know what? It didn’t work. And in that sense it’s extra-satisfying . ... But questions it all, not just the Olympics, and that stinks.”

Luge officials have maintained that their sport is clean.