Russian admits doping

Russian track cyclist Victoria Baranova was expelled from the Olympics after failing a pre-games doping test.

Baranova tested positive for testosterone on July 24 in Belarus. The test was made at the request of the International Olympic Committee as part of pre-games testing.

Enrico Carpani of the International Cycling Union said Baranova had already left the games. “She admitted her guilt and she left the games a couple of days ago,” he said.

The 22-year-old Baranova was the bronze medallist in the sprint at the European championships, and the two-time U23 European champion in both sprint and the keirin.

Baranova, who was set to compete in the keirin event in London, told the Ria Novosti news agency that she thought she would not be caught by anti-doping authorities.

“At the chemist, I bought the tablets containing testosterone of my own accord,” she said. “Since I knew it was prohibited, I didn’t mention anything about it to my coach. I took one tablet. I was scared and instantly regretted this course of action, but I didn’t tell anyone. Right before leaving for the Olympic Games another doping sample was taken, and it was clean. I thought I got lucky and nothing would happen.”