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Doping scandal in Russian sports

IAAF suspends Russian high jumper Chicherova for doping probe

Anna Chicherova who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing confirmed that her sample had tested positive for doping

Anna Chicherova Alexander Scherbak/TASS

Anna Chicherova

© Alexander Scherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, July 1. /TASS/. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has suspended Russia’s 2012 Olympic champion in high jumps Anna Chicherova for the time of the probe into doping abuse during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the athlete told TASS on Friday.

"A letter has just come: the IAAF has suspended me starting today from all competitions for the time of the probe into the matter," Chicherova said.

DOPING SCANDAL IN RUSSIAN SPORTS

The Olympic Committee of Russia confirmed in May it had received documents from the International Olympic Committee notifying that a recheck of the doping samples taken during the Beijing Olympics revealed positive A samples of 14 Russian athletes in three disciplines.

Chicherova who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing confirmed that her sample had tested positive for doping.

The doping sample B-1 from the Beijing Olympics was opened on June 8. The results of opening sample B-2 are not yet known.

Chicherova won the title of the Russian champion in Cheboksary on June 23.

Russian sport has been in the center of doping-related scandals since last year. Starting this year doping control in Russian sports has been exercised by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) strictly under the supervision of the British anti-doping agency (UKAD).

WADA’s Independent Commission published on November 9 last year results of its probe into the activity of the All-Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF), the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and the Russian Sports Ministry.

The commission accused certain athletes and sports officials of doping abuse and involvement in other activities related to violations of international regulations on performance enhancing substances.

RUSADA and the Moscow anti-doping laboratory subsequently suspended their activities, while WADA’s Board of Founders approved the finding of the agency’s Independent Commission that RUSADA did not comply with the Code of the international anti-doping organization.

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Doping scandal in Russian sports

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