Russian Stripped of London 2012 Gold Medal

(ATR) Mariya Savinova has been stripped of her London 2012 gold medal in the 800m by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Russian was found guilty of doping between July 2010 and August 2013. CAS said in a statement "As a consequence, a four-year period of ineligibility, beginning on 24 August 2015, has been imposed on Mariya Savinova-Farnosova and all results achieved by her between 26 July 2010 and 19 August 2013, are disqualified and any prizes, medals, prize and appearance money forfeited."

Besides losing the Olympic gold medal, she will also forfeit her wins in the 800m at the 2011 World Championships and the 2010 European Championships.

The ruling could mean another Olympic gold medal for Caster Semenya. The South African won gold in the 800m at the Rio Games and now stands to be upgraded to gold after finishing second to Savinova in London. Semenya also finished runner-up to Savinova at the 2011 Worlds.

The four year ban until 2019 is likely to have no effect on the 31-year-old Savinova, who has not competed since 2013.

CAS, in its statement, explained that it was acting as the "first instance decision-making authority for this matter" since the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) is suspended and was not available to adjudicate the case.

Written by Gerard Farek

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