Former member of Russian State Duma punished for doping

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) disqualified the honored coach of Russia in athletics, a former member of the State Duma, Olga Pavlova, for two years for violating the anti-doping rules starting from August 4, Report informs.

The term of the disqualification is calculated starting from August 2022.

Although the case against the coach was opened in 2016, it was suspended due to the status of parliamentary immunity.

As reported, Pavlova bought the illegal substances from Yevgeny Yevsyukov, another European and world champion in racewalking. Two criminal cases were initiated against Yevsyukov in 2007 and 2011 due to the distribution of prohibited substances in sports. In both cases, he received a 5-year suspended sentence.

The investigation revealed that Pavlova is also the vice-president of the Russian Federation of Synchronized Swimming. Therefore, RUSADA has decided to inform this federation as well.

She was a member of the 7th convocation (2016-2020) of the State Duma and received the title of the honored coach of Russia in athletics and the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland".

On January 29, 2016, RUSADA suspended Yevgeny Yevsyukov from sports for four years. Currently, he is on the list of persons banned from professional activity.