Russian superstar figure skater Kamila Valieva has tested positive for a banned substance.
The International Testing Agency said the 15-year-old failed a drug test for trimetazidine, a banned heart medication.
A medal ceremony for Russia’s recent team figure skating gold win – where Valieva hit two quad jumps – has been subsequently suspended.
It is the first big doping case at the Beijing Olympics that involves one of its favourite young stars.
Russia could lose its gold medal from the team competition due to the positive test, and it could also threaten Valieva’s chance of winning the individual competition that begins on Tuesday.
The US team would be elevated to the gold medal for the first time in the event if Russia is disqualified, and Japan would be awarded silver. Fourth-place finisher Canada would receive the bronze medal.
The sample was reportedly obtained in December, when the teenager was still in Russia.
It reportedly did not come to light until after she had helped her team win the gold medal with her dynamic performances on Sunday.
Traditional doping is uncommon in figure skating since more muscle mass is seen as a negative.
However, many skaters have been caught trying to control their weight with diuretics over the years, which are banned for their ability to mask steroid use and other medications that could affect performance.
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