Russia's quadruple rowing team banned for doping abuse

A quartet of Russian rowers has been disqualified from taking part in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games after one of the members, Sergei Fedorovtsev, tested positive for banned drug Trimetazidine, the World Rowing Federation FISA announced on Friday.

"The World Rowing Federation, FISA, advises that the Russian men's quadruple sculls is to be disqualified due to a doping violation," the statement from FISA said.

"On May 17, 2016, rower Sergei Fedorovtsev provided a urine sample at an out-of-competition test conducted by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency," the statement said.

Fedorovtsev was a member of the Russian men's quadruple sculls that qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta on May 24, 2016 in Lucerne, Switzerland, reports Tass.

Fedorovtsev, 36, is the 2004 Athens Olympic Games gold medallist and two-time European champion.

"On June 30, 2016, the B sample was opened in the presence of the rower and the subsequent analysis confirmed the result of the A sample," FISA reported.

"The Olympic qualification place for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games earned by the Russian men's quadruple sculls on May 24, 2016 is hereby withdrawn.".

--IANS

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