(ATR) Russia’s men’s quadruple sculls crew are banned from the Rio Olympics after one of their rowers failed a doping test.
Sergei Fedorovtsev tested positive for the banned performance enhancing drug trimetazidine following an out-of-competition drug test in May.
World Rowing confirmed that the New Zealand men's quadruple sculls crew will replace the Russian team at this summer’s Games. The Kiwi quartet missed out on a top two finish to qualify at the last chance Olympic qualifying regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland last month.
The rowing federation said Friday that analysis of the A and B urine samples provided by Fedorovtsev tested positive for the banned metabolic modulator.
"The fight against doping and protecting the integrity of rowing and its athletes are top priorities for FISA which has spearheaded the implementation of doping controls as well as other important anti-doping measures," FISA said in a statement.
The rowing ban is the latest embarrassment for Russian sport following the IAAF’s decision to ban the country’s track and field team from the Rio Olympics.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee and Rowing New Zealand said they were notified of Russia’s positive test results earlier today.
Kereyn Smith, CEO of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, congratulated the four rowers and coach following reallocation of the quota spot.
"Our athletes are proud to compete clean and we are delighted to confirm them as members of the New Zealand Olympic Team today. We commend FISA for taking ongoing steps to remove drug cheats from competition," she said.
Simon Peterson, CEO of Rowing New Zealand, said the New Zealand rowing crews that just missed out of Olympic qualification have remained focused and prepared.
"We have appreciated the emotional ups and downs as the athletes first missed qualification only to be asked to remain in competition mode," he said. "We are hugely disappointed that our athletes found themselves competing against cheats however very pleased that today they have achieved their goal of winning a spot at the Olympic Games in Rio."
He said the crew had been continuing to train as Rowing New Zealand had not ruled out the possibility of a positive drug test affecting results from the May regatta and the subsequent reallocation of quota spots.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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