Ukrainian racewalking athlete Ihor Hlavan was disqualified from this summer’s Olympic games after his earlier doping ban was extended, the Ukrainian Athletics Federation reported on July 20.
Hlavan’s two-year ban was handed down on July 25, 2017, after he failed a drug test. The Court of Arbitration for Sport on July 15 extended his ban retroactively by one year. This effectively bars the athlete from participating in the 2020 Olympic games, even though they’re being held in 2021.
The athlete denied wrongdoing. He claimed that the UAF falsified his drug test results and said he was a victim of backlash for criticizing Ukrainian athletics officials.
Hlavan accused the UAF of money laundering and said that Denis Tobias, head coach of the Ukrainian national athletic walking team, turned against him as a result.
The athlete now faces libel lawsuits from the UAF and the National Anti-Doping Center of Ukraine.
Valery Litanyuk will replace Hlavan on the Olympic team.
Hlavan is one of the best world’s best speed walkers in the 50 kilometer event, having finished fourth in three world championships in a row.
He received a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics after Russian athlete Mikhail Ryzhov, who finished ahead of him, was disqualified for doping.
