Pyeongchange- An anti-doping case has been opened against Russian medal-winning curler Alexander Krushelnitsky, says the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
Krushelnitsky, won bronze with his wife in the mixed doubles at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday, is suspected of testing positive for meldonium.
“It’s a huge embarrassment for the IOC, given it let OAR compete,” said BBC commentator Steve Cram.
The case has been opened against the 25 year old after a request from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The hearing date has been set and the athlete B sample test is expected to be revealed on Monday.
An IOC statement added: “Doping, testing and sanctioning at the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018 is independent from the IOC. Therefore the IOC cannot communicate on individual cases while the procedure is ongoing.”
More than 160 Russian athletes were banned for systematic doping against them, this was revealed at the Sochi Games in 2014 hosted by Russia.
Russian athletes who could prove they were cleaned could compete at this years Winter Games and compete under the OAR banner, with the team comprising 168 competitors – the third biggest behind Canada and the United States.
Spokesperson for the IOC for Russian delegation has said it would be,”extremely disappointing for us if a case is proven”.
Photo Credit- BBC
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