The Russian athletics federation (VFLA) has disqualified race walkers Andrei Ruzavin and Nina Okhotnikova based on ‘abnormal readings in the haematological profile of their athlete biological passport (ABP)’. In a statement on its internet site, the VFLA said that the race walkers had been banned ‘on the basis of documents received from RUSADA [Russian Anti-Doping Agency] and in accordance with paragraph 32.2 (b), 39, 40.1 and 40.8 of the IAAF Anti-Doping rules’.

Ruzavin, who won a bronze medal at the 2014 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Race Walking World Cup, has been issued with a 30-month ban, from 9 October 2014 until 8 April 2017. The VFLA said that Ruzavin’s results from 18 December 2011 until 18 February 2012 would be cancelled, and from 13 September 2013 to 13 November 2013 – it is therefore currently unclear if his bronze medal will stand.

Okhotnikova has been issued with a two-year ban from 22 January 2015 until 21 January 2017. Her results from 21 June 2011 until 17 November 2011 will be cancelled, meaning that she will lose the bronze medal she won in the 20km walk at the 2011 Summer Universiade. Czech athlete Lucie Pelantová, who finished fourth, will gain her medal.

The VFLA lists one of Ruzavin’s coaches as VM Chegin, a Russian race-walking coach that is currently under investigation by the IAAF in connection to alleged doping. Chegin was fired by the Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA) in 2014, after an investigation by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) implicated a Mordovian race-walking centre named after him in a doping case.

In January, five Russian race walkers were disqualified for doping by RUSADA, all of which were coached by Chegin. The disqualifications stemmed from an investigation into the Mordovian race-walking centre, where Chegin (pictured) is still listed as head coach.