Ukrainian biathlete Oksana Khvostenko tested positive for doping

Ukrainian biathlete Oksana Khvostenko was tested positive for ephedrine at a doping test during the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk.

«During the preparations for the World Cup Oksana Khvostenko got ill. As a treatment for her cough she was prescribed Broncholytin, which contains ephedrine. At the end of the tournament Oksana caught a cough again. She used this syrup without thinking that it can be used only during the training. It is an ordinary, not banned drug,» reads the statement on the official site of the Ukrainian Biathlon Federation.

«Such a carelessness led to the fact that at sampling the level of ephedrine exceeded the norm by 0.5 ml/g.

«On June 1 in Salzburg a meeting of the IBU commission was held, which considered all the circumstances of the incident in the presence of Oksana Khvostenko. Its decision on the penalty for the athlete for exceeding the permissible level of ephedrine will soon be announced.»

During the World Cup Khvostenko announced her retirement. With her participation the Ukrainian team has won silver medals in the relay race.