Russian Paralympician Nikolei Polkin was stripped of his medal for violating anti-doping rules, 11 years after winning them at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Independent Anti-Doping Court has found that Parabiathlon athlete Polkin provided urine samples that had been tampered with during the game.
DNA evidence showed that Polhin provided “clean” urine during a game that could “exchange” with samples that were positive for trimethazidine (TMZ).
TMZ is a drug that increases blood flow to the heart and stimulates glucose metabolism, and can improve endurance.
Forensic analysis of sample bottles showed “scars and marks and urine residual tooth marks that can only be caused by someone closing and reopening and reclosing the sample bottle.”
The court said the urine analysis carried out in 2018 showed that since the 2014 analysis by the Sochi Institute, the composition of urine had changed.
Polukhin, now 42 years old, will confiscate a 15km visually impaired race for men’s parabiathlon and silver medals from the same event at distances of 7.5km and 12.5km.
The court found that athletes’ actions during the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games were “particularly terrible” and “significantly undermined the integrity of the event.”
Polhin said he did not provide a “logical or plausible explanation” for evidence that the samples exchanged with urine.
Polukhin filed an appeal against the decision with the sports court of arbitration, which was withdrawn earlier this month after he failed to pay the costs advance.
The court ruled on September 25, 2024, but under the rules it was not possible to disclose the decision until the appeal process was completed.
“The resolution in this case draws a line under what was made under a long-term process for potential anti-doping rules violations by Russian athletes at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Olympics.”
The IPC confirmed with BBC Sport that there is no further investigation related to Sochi 2014.
