GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 19: Matt Hamilton of the United States of America looks on during Men's Round Robin Session 9 on day 10 of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Curling Centre on February 19, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea.

Hamilton: Russian facing charge should lose medal

The Associated Press
8 years ago
Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty

U.S. Olympic curler Matt Hamilton says a Russian bronze medalist who is facing a doping charge should lose his medal from the Pyeongchang Games.

Hamilton played against Russia's Alexander Krushelnitsky in mixed doubles curling last week. Russian officials say he tested positive for meldonium.

Hamilton says he would feel bad if Krushelnitsky had not intentionally taken a banned substance. But Hamilton says athletes are ultimately responsible for what goes into their bodies.

Russian Curling Federation president Dmitry Svishchev says it's possible someone spiked Krushelnitsky's food or drink with meldonium.

The drug's manufacturer says it is mostly aimed at people with heart conditions, though it can also be used for ''physical and psycho-emotional overload'' in otherwise healthy people.

Meldonium's inventor has said it was given to Soviet soldiers fighting in Afghanistan to boost their stamina.

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