'Alexander Not Stupid' Says Russian Coach Over Doping Claim
Muhammad Rameez Published February 19, 2018 | 10:10 AM
Gangneung, South Korea, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2018 ) :A Russian curling coach Monday sprang to the defence of Alexander Krushelnitsky, the curler at the centre of doping allegations, saying: "It's stupid and Alexander is not a stupid man." Sergei Belanov, women's curling coach for the Olympic Athletes from Russia, dismissed reports that the mixed doubles bronze medallist had taken the banned drug meldonium.
"No benefits. No advantage," said Belonov. "And I don't believe a young man chooses risk or will use the same drug that has been around for two years. "It's stupid and Alexander is not a stupid man." Krushelnitsky is the only curler named Alexander on the Russian team.
Various Russian reports have named him as the athlete involved. A spokesman for the OAR said an A sample from a Russian athlete showed a possible violation of anti-doping rules, and a B sample would be tested on Monday.
"I would never believe someone on our team would do that," said women's curling skip Victoria Moiseeva.
"I don't know how he could do such a thing and sleep at night because it's not only him, but it's the whole nation." Russia was banned from the Pyeongchang Olympics in December following a probe into state-sponsored doping but 16 clean athletes were allowed to take part as independents representing the OAR.
"We all know what happened before," said Moiseeva. "We would never risk that. We don't know how it happened. We would never believe he would have done it on purpose." Krushelnitsky and his wife Anastasia Bryzgalova captured the bronze medal last Tuesday in the mixed doubles.
"I can't imagine how he and his wife feel. There are no words to comfort them now," Moiseeva added, saying teammates were affected by the news as they lost 11-2 to Switzerland in a pool game Tuesday morning. "We wanted not to think about it when we found out, but it was still in our heads," Moiseeva said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan marks World Press Freedom Day
High-level Saudi business delegation due on May 5
Stocks heat up as US labour market cools
President approves Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
Implementation of merit, justice to oppressed segments top priorities: CPO
Overseas Kashmir community delegation calls on AJK President, discusses latest s ..
Govt believes in freedom of press: Amir Muqam
Labour urges UK election after Tory losses
Health authorities asked for action against alleged illegal tenders at Services ..
Spain scraps national bullfighting prize sparking debate
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan visits Rawalpindi ..
ATC extends interim bail of PTI founder in 3 cases
More Stories From Sports
-
Cricket: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 1st T20 scores
6 hours ago -
Labour urges UK election after Tory losses
6 hours ago -
Spain scraps national bullfighting prize sparking debate
6 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
6 hours ago -
Chelsea shatter Spurs' top four bid
6 hours ago -
4th Union Club Gatorade Trophy ranking tennis championship begins
7 hours ago
-
Bill May or may not make Olympic history in the pool
7 hours ago -
Bill May or may not make Olympic history in the pool
7 hours ago -
Talent Identification Workshop from Saturday
7 hours ago -
ICC announces match officials for T20 World Cup 2024
9 hours ago -
Masha, Army, KRL, PACA triumph in National Challenge Cup matches
9 hours ago -
PCB Level-I Umpiring Courses for Umpires 2024-25
9 hours ago