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Russian Ice Competitor Banned for Drug Use

Russian ice climber Pavel Batushev is not allowed to compete for four years. He has been banned by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) after testing positive for meldonium.

The veteran comp climber had to provide a sample in January at the Rabenstein World Cup in Italy, after winning gold in the Men’s Speed event.

Pavel Batushev before winning gold this winter

“An imposed period of suspension of four years from the date of the provisional suspension (March 29, 2017) until March 28, 2021,” the UIAA noted.

“Disqualified results in the competition which produced the positive sample and in all other competitions between this event, the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup 2017 in Rabenstein, and the date of the provisional suspension.”

Meldonium was developed in Latvia and added to the banned list on January 1, 2016 because “evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance.” Read the official statement here.

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