Russian officials bewildered as to how curling medalist Alexander Krushelnitsky could have failed a drugs test

Russian officials were at a loss on Monday to explain how one of their Winter Olympics curling medallists could have failed a drugs test.

Alexander Krushelnitsky, who won mixed doubles bronze alongside his wife Anastasia Bryzgalova, is suspected of testing positive for meldonium, a banned substance that increases blood flow and improves endurance capacity. 

“It’s stupid, but Alexander is not stupid, so I don’t believe it,” said Sergei Belanov, Russian women’s curling coach.

His bewilderment was matched by other curling athletes who questioned why anyone would use drugs that aid endurance in a sport that requires steady hands and concentration more than prolonged periods of physical fitness.

“We were all shocked when we found out,” said Russian curler Viktoria Moiseeva.

“Of course we very much hope it was some kind of mistake.

“With us it’s not faster, higher, stronger; it’s about being more accurate.

“I can’t imagine what kind of drugs you could use in curling so it’s very hard to believe.”

The suspected doping violation comes at a delicate time for Russia, who are attempting to draw a line under years of drug scandals in sport and are competing in Pyeongchang as neutral athletes, unable to use their own flag or national symbols.

The country is attempting to regain full Olympic status and Moiseeva said it would be dreadful if the case hurt their chances.

“It’s a catastrophe if it’s not just one Olympics but others too,” she said. “It will throw sport in our country into turmoil.

“It’s awful just to think about, to be honest.”

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has formally charged Krushelnitsky pending a hearing and Russia’s curling federation have launched an internal investigation. Krushelnitsky has not commented.

“I hope it’s not true for the sport of curling,” said Norwegian curling skip Thomas Ulsrud, whose team stand to pick up the bronze if Krushelnitsky is stripped of the medal.

“If it’s true I feel really sad for the Norwegian team who worked really hard, ended up in fourth place and just left for Norway and they aren’t even here.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency banned meldonium in January 2016. Former world tennis No 1 Maria Sharapova is one of more than 170 athletes to have tested positive for the drug since it was banned.