She reiterated her having used no forbidden drugs. Korzhanenko's argument in favour of this statement is the refusal of the Olympic committee to carry out her DNA test which could confirm the version of the forbidden substance having been found only in the test results. She cited the case of a scandal in Athens, which aroused because of the substitution of one shot-putter's material for drug tests for that of another and therefore she did not exclude the possibility of such a substitution this time.
Asked about her plans, in particular, about the prospect of embarking on coaching, she noted that 'sport is assuming a political colouring. "I exclude the coaching possibility, if the conflict with my medal is not settled," she said.
Irina Korzhanenko gained the Athens gold medal in shot put, but several days later the results of doping tests among Russian athletes were made public. The test was positive as regards the forbidden Stanozolol drug and Korzhanenko was stripped of her gold medal and diploma.
But the shot-putter has failed to return the award because shortly on getting it she sent it to Moscow with her brother.
