Aleksandr Krushelnitckii, a member of the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) mixed doubles curling team who won a bronze medal at Pyeongchang 2018, has failed a drugs test for meldonium.

A test submitted by Krushelnitckii showed traces of the substance, used to treat heart attack victims and which has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list since January 2016.

Krushelnitckii has now left the Athletes Village and has handed back his accreditation.

OAR spokesperson Konstantin Vybornov confirmed they have been officially notified of the positive test by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The result has not yet been officially confirmed and a B-sample will be opened tomorrow.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping division, responsible for administering anti-doping sanctions at the Olympic Games, however, have not yet been notified of the case and will not be until it is confirmed as an anti-doping rule violation.

It is believed the analysis showed the meldonium had been taken up to 10 days before the test, although Krushelnitckii denies taking the substance.

Krushelnitckii and Anastasia Bryzgalova, his curling partner and wife, had been training for Pyeongchang 2018 in Japan.

He had passed an out-of-competition drugs test on January 22, insidethegames understands.

It is understood by insidethegames Krushelnitckii has told Russian officials that he fears someone at the training camp in Japan spiked his drink with meldonium before he travelled to South Korea.

His claim is being investigated.
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