MOSCOW, Russia (AP) — Five Russian race walkers, including world record-holder Sergei Morozov, have been suspended for two years for doping.
Morozov, Viktor Burayev, Vladimir Kanaikin, Igor Yerokhin and Alexei Voevodin were sanctioned by the national federation for testing positive for the endurance-enhancing hormone EPO.
Morozov holds the world record in the 20 kilometer walk, while Kanaikin is the former record holder in the event. Voevodin was the bronze medalist in the 50K walk at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Morozov and Yerokhin tested positive on June 29, and the others on April 20.
Russia’s track and field athletes were dogged by doping allegations before and during the Beijing Olympics. Kanaikin and Morozov both went under the world record at the national trials in March, but neither competed in Beijing.
Kanaikin was dropped from the squad and replaced by 2005 world champion Sergei Kirdyapkin. Morozov was entered but did not start the 20k race in Beijing.
Seven Russian women were provisionally suspended by the IAAF in July for allegedly manipulating urine samples prior to the Olympics.
Five Russian walkers suspended for doping – CNN.com
