MONACO (AP) β Olympic 3,000 meters steeplechase champion Yulia Zaripova faces a doping ban in the latest scandal to hit Russian athletics.
Athletics’ world governing body, the IAAF, told The Associated Press that Zaripova is under suspicion under biological passport rules, a means to track extreme blood values which indicate doping.
IAAF spokesman Chris Turner said Zaripova “voluntarily withdrew from competition” in July 2013 and “a decision is expected soon.”
Zaripova has previously said she missed the August 2013 world championships in Moscow after injuring her leg in training and then that she was taking a break from athletics to have a baby.
Zaripova’s case follows that of five Russian race-walkers, three of them Olympic champions, banned Tuesday. The Russian athletics federation is also under investigation over claims that officials organized doping.
