Eight years after Tia Hellebaut won gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing Belgium receives another gold medal at these Games. The Belgian 4 x 100m relay team sees their silver medals upgraded to gold after the disqualification of the Russian team that crossed the line victoriously. The Russian team is disqualified after the suspension of Yuliya Chermoshanskaya who anchored the Russian team. She has been officially tested as positive on performance enhancing drugs.
In the battle against drugs the International Olympic Committee is retesting samples of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. Those tests now reveal that Chermoshanskaya has proved positive on stanozolol and turinabol. She is disqualified in the 200m and in the 4 x 100m relay and the Russian Federation shall return the diplomas and the medals. The IAAF is requested to modify the results. That is a summary of the official statement of the IOC on its website.
This is great news for Gevaert, Ouedraogo, Borlée, Mariën and for the Belgian Athletics community. The relay team will consequently be honored and receive their gold medals. There is no doubt that this will be another highlight at the 40th edition of the AG Insurance Memorial Van Damme, for the team members and for the spectators.
