IWF will not suspend weightlifter Makhiyanova for using Meldonium

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has decided not to suspend Lyaysan Makhiyanova, 2013 European Junior champion in 75 kilogram and Russian champion, for using banned drug Meldonium.

"The IWF reports that samples of Ms. Hripsime Khurshudyan (ARM), Ms. Lyaysan Makhiyanova (RUS), Mr. Krzysztof Szramiak (POL) have returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for (S4.5.3 Hormone and metabolic modulators) Meldonium," IWF said in a statement on Monday, reports Tass.

"The IWF decided not to suspend the aforementioned athletes provisionally," the report added noting that "in any case where it is determined that the athletes did not commit an anti-doping rule violation, the relevant decisions will also be published."

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced on April 13 that the concentration of less than one microgram of Meldonium in the body system of an athlete, whose doping tests were conducted before March 1, was acceptable.

The drug Meldonium was included in the list of preparations banned by WADA from January 1, 2016. The presence of the Meldonium in an athlete's blood during and between competitions is a violation of anti-doping rules. The substance belongs to S4 class on the WADA blacklist (hormones and metabolic modulators).

Earlier, WADA said that a total of 172 athletes had tested positive for Meldonium.

Meldonium is used in sports for enhancing the human body's ability to resist physical strain during training sessions and nervous and psychological pressures during competitions. In some countries it is used as a pre-emptive drug against cardiovascular diseases.

The presence of this substance in the athlete's doping sample during and between competitions has been regarded as a violation of doping rules since January 1, 2016.

--IANS

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