Reports indicate that Russia has replaced its under-18 team over positive meldonium tests. The head coach even confirmed he lost his job.
AllHockey.ru reports that the entire Russian U18 national hockey team may skip the Worlds due to positive Meldonium tests.
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) April 6, 2016
In lieu of the U18 team (whose profile has been removed from Russian Hockey Federation web site), the 1999 birth year squad may go
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) April 6, 2016
The U18 coach has been fired, the roster is confirmed to be radically changed. This is the first Meldonium scandal in Russian hockey.
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) April 6, 2016
Summary of my timeline: Meldonium scandal in RUS hockey starts with children. Entire U18 national roster decimated. 1999s to play in Worlds.
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) April 6, 2016
The ENTIRE Russian U18 roster is replaced with younger players one day before leaving for the Worlds. Biggest mass doping scandal in hockey.
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) April 6, 2016
Now-former Russian U18 national coach: “A very unpleasant situation has occurred. No further comments”
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) April 6, 2016
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned meldonium on January 1. Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova became the first high-profile athlete rocked by the drug when she failed a test during the Australian Open.
A Russian volleyball team pulled out of a tournament in February while the curling team also changed its roster.
Russia sells the drug over the counter and Eastern European countries prescribe it as a heart medication. Sharapova claims she has taken the drug for over a decade due to magnesium deficiency, heart problems, and diabetes in her family.
Earlier, a RUS pro volleyball team completely changed roster before Euro Cup final. Men’s curling team changed before Worlds.Meldonium rages
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) April 6, 2016
RUS U17 coach confirms his team will represent Russia at the U18 Worlds. Says to R-Sport, “We’re going there to get medals.” #dopingscandal
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) April 6, 2016
It’s all confirmed now. Russia to be represented by U17s. Overwhelming majority of U18 team failed Meldonium test. Statement still pending
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) April 6, 2016
Russia takes the ice in the IIHF World U18 Championships in Grand Forks next Thursday against the United States.
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