Flanagan receives silver medal for 2008 Olympics

American runner’s bronze upgraded after second-place finisher’s positive drugs test

US distance runner Shalane Flanagan was celebrating on Monday after finally being awarded her silver medal from the 2008 Olympic Games 10,000 meters following a doping ban against Turkish second-place finisher Elvan Abeylegesse.

The United States Olympic Committee confirmed that Flanagan had been upgraded to silver after a re-test of a sample belonging to Ethiopian-born runner Abeylegesse from the 2007 World Championships found traces of banned drugs.

Bronze medallist Flanagan posted a picture of herself on Twitter, kissing her newly acquired silver medal in celebration.

Flanagan said she had declined an offer from USOC to have her silver awarded at a public ceremony.

“Receiving my proper medal and having the record books changed is a dream come true,” Flanagan said.

“I greatly appreciate the USOC’s efforts to host a more formal medal ceremony in my honour, but with my coach and my family, I have decided to forego that option and instead celebrate in private,” she added. “This news, and receiving my medal, are all that I need to feel incredibly fulfilled and happy. I’m honoured and proud to officially be the 2008 10,000-metre silver medallist.”

Flanagan, 36, has concentrated on the marathon in the years since her 2008 Olympic campaign.