This Russian bobsledder wore an “I don’t do doping” shirt, failed a doping test
Bobsledder Nadezhda Sergeeva became the second Olympian from Russia to fail a doping test at this year’s 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. Given Russia’s history with doping, it might not seem all that surprising. However, in an ironic twist of events, Sergeeva also appeared in an Instagram video earlier this month wearing a sweatshirt that read, “I don’t do doping.” Well, so much for that.
According to HuffPost, Sergeeva tested positive for an “angina medication with performance-enhancing properties” on February 18th. She denied taking the drug and even passed a drug test five days prior to that last one, and Russian Bobsled Federation president Alexander Zubkov made a statement saying that she was not given a prescription for the drug.
The Instagram video, which has now been taken down, featured Sergeeva wearing the words, “I don’t do doping. I am ZASPORT” across her chest. According to ABC News, the video was produced last year to promote Zasport, which was the official clothing brand for Russian athletes. Sergeeva also reportedly wore a white T-shirt with the message “I don’t do doping” underneath her uniform.
Just last week, another athlete from Russia, Alexander Krushelnitsky, tested positive for a different potentially performance-enhancing drug. Unlike Sergeeva, though, who finished 12th in the two-woman bobsleigh event, Krushelnitsky had to return a bronze medal in mixed doubles curling.
Russian athlete filmed in 'I don’t do doping' shirt fails Winter #Olympics drug test. By @MartinBelam https://t.co/eu9E0Qsxw3 pic.twitter.com/j6JC33VFPt
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) February 24, 2018
Russia’s doping issues are nothing new.
As you no doubt remember, Russia was officially banned from competing in this year’s Winter Olympics in PyeongChang after an investigation by the International Olympic Committee found evidence of state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Although Russia was banned from competing at this year’s Games as a country, athletes were still allowed to compete as Olympic Athletes from Russia. That meant the Olympic theme was played during medal ceremonies instead of the Russian national anthem, and the Russian flag was not used next to anyone’s name during the entire Games.
At this point, Sergeeva and Russia have denied any doping allegations. According to an Associated Press report prior to the allegations, Sergeeva wasn’t wearing the words as some sort of message or form of protest. She simply used the Zasport gear as a way to keep warm.
But the moral of the story is, if you’re going to wear a shirt that says you don’t dope, you probably shouldn’t get caught doing it.
