Third Sochi doping case
February 22, 2014
Ukrainian nordic skier Marina Lisogor tested positive for the anti-anginal substance trimetazidine, the Ukrainian Olympic Committee said on Saturday.
Trimetazidine is classified as a "specified stimulant" on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list. As such, it is considered more susceptible to inadvertent use and can carry reduced penalities.
The Committee said that Lisogor had denied knowingly taking a banned substance and claimed she had unwittingly consumed the stimulant in a medicine.
"The decision about the future fate of the athlete will be taken in line with IOC (International Olympic Committee) rules," the Ukrainian Committee said.
Lisogor competed in two cross-country events at the Sochi Games, but was far from winning any medals.
Her failed drug test was the third of the Sochi Games, following those of German biathlete Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle and Italian bobsledder William Frullani.
The German sporting world remains in shock after Sachenbacher-Stehle, a two-time gold medallist in cross-country skiing at past Games, was expelled from the Winter Olympics on Friday after testing positive for a banned stimulant.
The athlete said she had consumed the substance methyhexanamin accidentally in a dietary supplement, and described her experience as the "worst nightmare you can imagine."
Italian bobsledder William Frullani has also been sent home after his failed test.
tj/pfd (AFP, AP, Reuters)