Lebedeva to appeal IOC decision on 2008 Olympic medals annulment

Russian track and field athlete Tatiana Lebedeva has said she will file an appeal against the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to strip her of two medals she won at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Definitely I will be filing an appeal. I have been always fighting until the very end," she said on Wednesday , reports Tass.

Lebedeva said she was ready to return her two silver 2008 Olympic medals only after doping abuse allegations against her were proved.

"I need to read through the regulations of how to give back medals. If the medals must be returned to an athlete, who successfully passed a doping test, I am ready to come and give them. I am also ready to extend my apologies."

She was also suspended from her position in the International Association of Athletics Federations after IOC's statement.

"I have received documents today that I have been temporarily discharged while an investigation is underway. My work in IAAF has been suspended."

Lebedeva, who is the 2004 Olympics champion in long jump, the 2000 Sydney Games bronze medal winner in triple jump and the record holder of indoor triple jump (15.36 metres), was a member of the European Athletics Association's Athletes Commission.

The IOC announced on Wednesday its decision to strip Lebedeva of two medals after reanalysis of her doping samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics tested positive for banned substance turinabol.

"Tatiana Lebedeva, 40, of Russia, competing in the women's triple jump event and the women's long jump event in which she ranked 2nd and for which she was awarded a silver medal, has been disqualified from the Olympic Games Beijing 2008," the IOC said in its statement.

--IANS

sam/bg