Russian Olympic medallist suspended for doping

Moscow, Dec 9 (IANS/RIA Novosti) London Olympics silver medallist in discus Daria Pishchalnikova has been temporarily suspended over a positive doping test, Russia’s anti-doping agency (RUSADA) said.

The sanctions were applied to the 27-year-old athlete on the basis of a sample taken May 20, two months ahead of London Olympics, that was retested in October and showed an adverse result.

Last month, Pishchalnikova was warned that she faced a life ban from the sport if an initial positive result was confirmed.

“The IAAF has temporarily banned Daria Pishchalnikova from all training events and competitions as of Oct 31, 2012 until a decision is made on whether there was a violation of anti-doping rules,” a website statement said Saturday.

Pishchalnikova has already been suspended once, on the eve of the Beijing 2008 Olympics for doping irregularities.

She threw 67.56 metres at the Games for second place, just short of Sandra Perkovic’s golden mark of 67.11 metres.

—IANS/RIA Novosti

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IANS 2012-12-09 15:44:10