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Russia's Olga Kuzenkova (middle) is currently under investigation after a seven-year-old sample tested positive for a banned substance. THOMAS KIENZLE/AP/Press Association Images
Hammer Blow

Former Olympic champion fails drugs test

Olga Kuzenkova is under investigation after samples taken in 2005 tested positive.

RUSSIA’S OLYMPIC HAMMER champion Olga Kuzenkova is under investigation after samples taken in 2005 revealed a banned substance.

Kuzenkova, who won gold in the women’s hammer throw at the 2004 Athens Games, failed the drugs test at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, where she prevailed in the same event.

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) said Kuzenkova is facing possible sanctions from the International Association of Athletics Federations after a prohibited substance was found in her A sample.

“International Association of Athletics Federations initiated a review of a possible anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) by the Russian athlete Olga Kuzenkova,” RUSADA said in a statement.

“The sample was collected on August 12, 2005 during the IAAF World Championships 2005 in Helsinki, Finland.

“In early December 2012 the case was forwarded to RUSADA.

“Olga Kuzenkova has been informed of the potential ADRV and her rights.”

Kuzenkova, 42, who has maintained her innocence, retried not long after failing to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Games.

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