Ostapchuk tests positive, bronze for Gong
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E-mail Xinhua, August 13, 2012
Belarus' Nadzeya Ostapchuk was stripped of the gold medal of the women's shot put at the London Olympics after she failed a drug test, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Monday.
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The Belarusian shot putter Nadzeya Ostapchuk has been stripped of her gold medal after the IOC says she failed a doping test. |
IOC said in the statement that Ostapchuk was tested positive on both urine samples, indicating the presence of metenolone, which is classified as anabolic agent under the 2012 Prohibited List.
Metenolone is used to build muscle mass and help reduce fatigue, as long as among other potentially performance-enhancing effects.
Valerie Adams of New Zealand, who finished second to Ostapchuk, was promoted to gold, while Yevgeniya Kolodko of Russia and Gong Lijiao of China taking silver and bronze respectively.
Kong said on the microblog after she was informed by the news.
"It's such a good feeling that you get back what you lost. I deserved the medal. It's a great regret that I didn't stand on the podium at the Olympics, which is a dream of my life. But I'm still exciting and happy. Thank you everyone who supports me," she said.
Kong's teammates sent their congratulation through microblog on sina.com, and Kong answered, "Thank you for praying for me. Let's get drunk."
Kong's bronze mounts China's medal total to 88, a very lucky number to the Chinese.
Ostapchuk, 31, won the shot put by 21.36 meters, 66 centimeters better than Adams' best mark.
The results raised speculation of doping as Britain's men's shot put competitor Brett Morse hint on Twitter that Ostapchuk was using illegal drugs. The tweet was deleted soon after.
In the past few years, Adams was dominating in the discipline, beating Ostapchuk several times to the second placing.
Ostapchuk won the world championship in 2005, but finished runner-up behind Adams in both 2009 and 2011 and took bronze at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
