2 Dec 2012

McCully questions delayed decision on Ostapchuk's ban

10:02 pm on 2 December 2012

Sports Minister Murray McCully is questioning why the international athletics body is taking so long to decide whether the disgraced shot putter, Nadzeya Ostapchuk's ban should be extended.

The Belarussian failed a drug test after winning gold at the London Olympics and was banned from competing for a year.

New Zealand's Valerie Adams was awarded the gold medal instead.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has called on the World Anti-Doping Agency to extend Ostapchuk's ban so she misses at least the next Olympic Games in 2016.

Mr McCully says the international athletics body has not given any explanation for the significant delays and it is bringing the anti-doping agency into disrepute.