Russian Olympian reportedly fails drug test in last sport anyone expects
Apologies for stating the painfully obvious, but drugs are bad.
Drugs are especially bad in terms of athletics when they are of the performance-enhancing variety.
With that being said, as dishonorable as it is to take performance-enhancing drugs, at least the motivation behind it isn’t hard to figure out.
Steroids can help a baseball player hit the ball further and with more velocity.
Doping can help cyclists maintain peak stamina and endurance for longer periods at a time.
Adderall can help various athletes with focus and attention, which serves obvious benefits in a high-speed sport.
The point is, while deplorable, it makes sense for certain drugs to be used in various sports.
Which is why so many Olympic viewers were confounded to learn a Russian Olympian was reportedly busted for doping.
No, it was little surprise that a Russian athlete was busted, considering that Russia as a competing nation is banned from the Olympics.
And it also wasn’t much of a surprise that an Olympian was caught cheating, considering that Olympic athletes are some of the most intensely competitive people in the world.
Rather, fans around the world were left scratching their collective heads when news came to light that a Russian curler was busted for doping, per Olympic “Inside The Games” reporter Nick Butler.
First reported by the Associated Press, Butler’s report claims Russian curler Alexander Krushelnitsky is the athlete in question. He is currently competing in the mixed doubles curling team with his wife Anastasia Bryzgalovoy.
While the International Olympic Committee confirmed there was a positive test, the IOC is awaiting a second “B” sample to be analyzed before saying anything definitive about Krushelnitsky. The B sample analysis is expected to be examined within 24 hours.
“Doping testing and sanctioning at the Pyeongchang 2018 is independent from the IOC. Therefore, the IOC cannot communicate on individual cases while the procedure is still ongoing,” the IOC said via statement. “However, we take note of the statement by a spokesperson [Konstantin Vybornov] of the Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR) delegation.”
Despite nothing having been confirmed yet, that hasn’t stopped sports pundits from wondering aloud what earthly benefit a curler could get from doping.
A Russian curler was busted at the Olympics for doping. For the first time it feels like a sport.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) February 18, 2018
Someone clue me in on the benefits of doping for a curler. I will say, three beers = perfect shuffleboard enhancement.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) February 18, 2018
It truly is difficult to pinpoint the exact benefits doping would have for a curler. Even Olympic level curlers seldom seem short of breath after competing.
Perhaps holding one’s breath when throwing the stone could be a possible benefit?
Krushelnitsky was reportedly popped for using the drug meldonium. He claims he’s innocent and alleges his drinks at training camp may have been spiked. Those claims are also reportedly being looked into.
If his tests come back positive for the drug, Krushelnitsky and Bryzgalovoy may have to forfeit the bronze medals they won in the mixed doubles curling competition.
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