Doping scandal at Tokyo Olympics․ Meldonium found in Russian rowers
POLITICS
19.07.2021 | 16:35The Russia Olympic Committee’s (ROC) men’s quadruple sculls team has been withdrawn from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics following the decision to exclude two rowers over positive tests for the banned substance meldonium.
Nikita Morgachev and Pavel Sorin tested positive for the drug, which is believed to increase endurance, at an out-of-competition test on June 17.
The test was conducted at a training camp in Greece.
The pair were part of the quadruple sculls team to earn a Tokyo 2020 berth at the final Olympic qualification event in May.
The Russian Rowing Federation (RRF) has now decided to withdraw the team, after determining the potential replacements for Morgachev and Sorin were not up to Olympic standard.