12 Mar 2016

Russian rugby sevens duo banned

12:33 pm on 12 March 2016

Two unnamed Russian sevens players, who play for the national women's and men's teams have been suspended for taking the banned substance meldonium.

French players vie for the ball with Russia during the Rugby Seven's Grand Prix Series 2015 final.

French players vie for the ball with Russia during the Rugby Seven's Grand Prix Series 2015 final. Photo: AFP

"A player from the men's rugby sevens national team admitted the results from his A sample and rejected the opportunity to test his B sample," the Russian Rugby Federation said in a statement.

"A sportswoman from the women's rugby sevens team says she has not taken any illegal substances and has asked for her B sample to be tested."

Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances on January 1st.

Eight other Russian sportsmen and women have been found to have taken meldonium including former world tennis number one Maria Sharapova.

The others are biathlete Eduard Latypov, cyclist Eduard Vorganov, figure skater Ekaterina Bobrova, speed skater Pavel Kulizhnikov, short-track speed skaters Semion Elistratov and Ekaterina Konstantinova and the volleyball player Alexander Markin.

Rugby sevens will be making its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in August.

-Reuters