IOC sanctions four Russians for doping at Sochi Olympics; results disqualified
The International Olympic Committee sanctioned four Russian skeleton athletes for doping during the Sochi Olympics, including gold medalist Alexander Tretyakov and bronze medalist Elena Nikitina.
The IOC announced the sanctions, which include a ban from competing in future Olympics, on Wednesday.
The IOC also disqualified Olga Potylitsina and Maria Orlova -- who finished fifth and sixth, respectively – and banned them.
The decision could lead to two Americans getting medal upgrades. Matt Antoine won bronze in Sochi and could get silver if the IOC re-awards the medals following potential appeals from the Russians.
On the women’s side, Katie Uhlaender finished fourth and could move up to bronze following Nikitina’s disqualification.
The IOC sanctions come as part of work by a commission chaired by Denis Oswald, which has been tasked with looking at individual cases of doping that occurred as part of Russia's state-run system. Ten Russian athletes, including six skiers, have now been sanctioned for doping as a result of the commission's work.
Oswald has previously committed to completing hearings for active athletes who could compete in the Pyeongchang Olympics, which open Feb. 9, by the end of this month.
The decision comes as the IOC faces pressure to ban Russia entirely from the 2018 Games.
Two investigations commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency revealed in 2015 and 2016 widespread and state-sponsored doping in Russia that included sample tampering during the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
A final report from Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren revealed urine swapping through a hole in the wall in Sochi and included 28 Russian athletes who competed there and had evidence that showed their samples had been tampered with. McLaren’s report showed more than 1,000 Russian athletes were involved in the state-sponsored system.
The Oswald Commission re-analyzed all samples from Russian athletes who competed in Sochi to look for evidence of doping or if the sample bottles had been tampered with.
A separate commission chaired by Samuel Schmid is examining the system of doping. Schmid is expected to produce a report this month.
The IOC will decide sanctions on Russia at its executive board meeting on Dec. 5.
The World Anti-Doping Agency determined last week that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency had not done enough to come back into compliance with the world anti-doping code.
Leaders from 37 national anti-doping organizations have signed on to a statement calling for the IOC to ban Russia, with a path for Russians to compete as neutral athletes provided they can demonstrate their anti-doping record.
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