Russian Olympic medalist listed in fresh doping scandal

2008 Olympic high jump bronze medallist, Anna Chicherova, is reportedly among 14 Russian athletes who have tested positive for doping during re-tests of their samples from the Beijing Games.

It’s another blow for Russia whose track and field athletes have been suspended since November after an international investigation revealed damning evidence of doping and corruption.

#Russia Tue confirms doping samples of 14 Russian athletes taken during the 2008 Olympics tested positive pic.twitter.com/rFRASxuBbs

— People's Daily,China (PDChina) May 25, 2016

“As a whole we come from the perception that all those criteria, proposed by the international federation (IAAF), they are being thoroughly followed. And generally I don’t see serious reasons for not letting our athletes take part in the Olympics. I think punishments for doping violations should always be personal. The person, the athlete who violated doping rules, must be punished,” said Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko

The Russian Olympic Committee refused to name the athletes but local media did, adding 10 of them were Olympic medallists – although this could not be verified.

Last week, the IOC announced it was re-testing hundreds of samples from the 2008 Olympics and said up to 31 athletes could be banned from the Rio Games.