Latvian Athletics Association head resigns after testing positive for doping

Riga, Nov 28: Ineta Radevica, a retired world-class long-jumper, resigned as president of the Latvian Athletics Association on Tuesday after a prohibited substance was found in her sample given during the 2012 London Olympics, according to the former athlete's statement to the media.

The doping scandal broke out last weekend after the independent Athletics Integrity Unit said that a repeat test of Radevica's sample had revealed the presence of oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid, Xinhua news agency reported.

Stressing her support for the principles of fair play, Radevica announced her resignation as head of the Latvian Athletics Association which, she said, has to be an institution upholding the highest ethical standards and demonstrating zero tolerance for doping.

Radevica denied taking the anabolic knowingly, although earlier sports physician Martins Pulveris said on public radio that an anabolic steroid cannot get into one's system by accident.

Radevica took fourth place at the 2012 London Olympic Games and retired from her sport in September of the same year. In March 2017, she was elected president of the Latvian Athletics Association.