First meldonium case revealed in Russian athletics (Reuters)

Russia’s first track-and-field athlete has tested positive for meldonium since the substance was banned, heaping further pressure on the country’s athletics federation as it fights to have a doping ban repealed in time for the 2016 Olympic Games. Twelve Russian sportsmen and women have tested positive for meldonium since it was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Jan. 1, including world tennis star Maria Sharapova and speed skating Olympic gold-medallist Semion Elistratov. Despite warnings from sports officials that a number of other Russian competitors could have taken the substance, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told Reuters last week meldonium had nothing to do with athletics in his country.