| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Dopey Gymnasts Banned for Two Years
The Russian Athletics Association has disqualified seven gymnasts from competitions for two years. They are Elena Soboleva, Darya Pishchalnikova, Gulfia Khanafeeva, Tatyana Tomashova, Yulia Fomenko, Svetlana Cherkasova and Olga Egorova. The gymnasts are suspected of falsifying the results of a drug test. The association made its decision on October 20, but the ban will be retroactive to the spring of 2007, according to the All Sports agency.
The athletes were first tested for drug use in spring 2007. A second doping test was performed at the world championship is Osaka, Japan, in August and September of the same year. The DNA of the test material taken in Moscow in the spring did not match that provided for the second test. The international Association of Athletics Federations thus became suspicious that the athletes had substituted their urine for that of others for the test. They were temporarily banned from competing on July 31, 2008, and did not compete in the Olympic Games.
Each of the athletes was given a different starting date for the ban. Soboleva is the leading athlete among the group. She is one of the best light athletes on the planet and was considered a contender for the Olympic gold medal in the 800- and 1500-meter dashes.
www.kommersant.com
|
|
|
