ST PETERSBURG (Sputnik) — Russian curler Aleksandr Krushelnitckiy, who tested positive for doping at the 2018 Winter Olympics, said that he and his teammate Anastasia Bryzgalova want to take part in the next Olympic games.
"The Olympic games were our goal toward which we have been striving for a long time. We have shown a good level both in the country and in the world. We deserved a medal, but we were deprived of it. We want to take part in the Olympics once again, if we have such an opportunity," Krushelnitckiy told reporters.
The athlete condemned media speculations on the possible involvement of his former girlfriend in the doping scandal.
READ MORE: Russian Curler Krushelnitckiy's Bronze Medal Handed to IOC Amid Doping Probe
In December, the IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee over an alleged state-sponsored doping scheme in the country, which led to, according to the IOC, doping abuses by Russian athletes during the 2014 Winter Olympics. The allegations have been rejected by the Russian authorities.
During the Olympics in South Korean Pyeongchang from February 9 to February 25, Russian athletes were not allowed to participate under their national flag and performed as the team of Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) under a neutral Olympic flag in line with the IOC decision. The Russian athletes managed to win 17 medals, including two gold, six silver, and nine bronze ones.