Backstrom to receive Sochi ice hockey silver medal

Swedish ice hockey player Nicklas Backstrom will receive an Olympic silver medal in spite of being dropped from the final in Sochi Winter Games due to a positive drug test, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said.

The IOC said Friday that Backstrom will get the silver medal despite testing positive ahead of the final game, reports Xinhua.

The 26-year-old Swedish athlete was tested positive for the presence of pseudoephedrine (PSE) before the gold medal game against Canada and suspended from competing in the final, in which Sweden lost 0-3 to Canada and gained a silver medal.

The IOC Disciplinary Commission found that the provisional suspension was fully justified because of the test result and the acknowledgement from the player himself of having taken medication containing PSE.

The athlete has reportedly taken the anti-allergic medicine which contains such a component.

Considering that he had been cooperative, had relied on the specific advice of his team doctor and there was also no indication of any intent of the athlete to improve his performance by taking a prohibited substance, the commission decided that Backstrom "should be entitled to receive the silver medal and diploma awarded for men's ice hockey".