Russian athletes linked to syringes and suspicious substances

RUSSIAN athletes competing in the European Championships in Gothenburg are under suspicion for alleged doping after syringes and alleged banned substances were found near a hotel used by them during the competition.

“It could be a sign that the users represent a Russian-speaking country such as Russia, Ukraine or Belarus. But it is too early to draw any conclusions,” IAAF doping chief Arne Ljungqvist told Swedish media yesterday.

Syringes, bottles, rubber tubes, phials and alleged banned substances were found in a plastic bag dumped in a rubbish bin on Monday near the Opal hotel, home to competitors from Russia, Poland, Bosnia, Montenegro, Malta and Gibraltar during the Championships, which ended on Sunday.