Winter Olympics: Russian curler caught in doping net

Alexander Krushelnitsky

A doping case involving a medal-winning Russian curler rocked the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics yesterday. Alexander Krushelnitsky's failed drug test came to light a week after he won mixed doubles bronze with his wife, Anastasia Bryzgalova, and could extend Russia's suspension from the Olympics.

The case, now with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, will be considered by Olympic officials deciding whether to lift Russia's ban in time for Sunday's closing ceremony. "Should this case be proven... that will also be part of the consideration as to whether there will be an allowance for them to march in the closing ceremony under their flag," said International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams.

Russia were banned from the Olympics after investigations revealed an extensive doping plot culminating at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, where the hosts topped the medals table. But 168 Russian athletes declared clean were allowed to compete as neutrals, under the banner of Olympic Athletes from Russia.

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