Five Russian athletes voluntarily admit doping violations

Five Russian athletes, all from track and field, have voluntarily admitted doping, the Russian Athletics Federation said Wednesday.

A statement on the federation's website named the athletes as hammer thrower Anna Bulgakova, 400m runner Antonina Krivoshapka, shot putter Yevgenia Kolodko, discus thrower Vera Ganeyeva and pole vaulter Dmitry Starodubtsev.

Krivoshapka and Kolodko had been siliver medalists at the London Olympics 2012.

Yelena Ikonnikova, the federation's anti-doping coordinator, told media, "This is the first time when our athletes acknowledged the anti-doping rules violations and also the first case that concerns the re-examination of the previously taken samples."

She added that more athletes who are currently under investigation may follow their lead to reduce possible sanctions from the world athletics governing body IAAF.

"The IAAF usually send athletes the letter giving them the option of admitting their guilt and accepting the sanctions," she said, adding that this would usually result in a reduced ban.

Russia has been beset with numerous accusations of doping among its top athletes in recent years with more than a dozen having to give up medals since 2012. It remains banned by the IAAF for the world championships in August. Endit