Russian race walker Olympic champion Elena Lashmanova sentenced for doping

Russian race walker athlete Elena Lashmanova has been sentenced to two years for using banned substances and will be deprived of her gold medal on 20 km from the London 2012 Olympics, said the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

“Elena Lashmanova has accepted the sanction. She will lose her gold medals in the 20km race at the London 2012 Olympics and the 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow”, said the statement.

The 29-year-old Elena Lashmanova became the Olympic champion in London in the 20 km race walking with a new world record of 1:25:02 hours, and at the world championships in Moscow, she won the title with 1:27:08 hours.

Lashmanova edged out compatriot Olga Kaniskina in the London 20km race walk with a then-world record, although her teammate was later disqualified for doping, as was the original fourth-placed finisher, Anisya Kirdyapkina.

China’s Qieyang Shenjie, who crossed the line in third place 10 years ago, could now be awarded the gold medal.