DERVAL O’ROURKE may soon finally get her hands on the bronze medal she missed out on at the European Indoor Championships in March.
Turkish athlete, hurdler Nevin Yanit, was today charged with doping violations and could lose her European hurdles title. Olympic 1,500-metre champion Asli Cakir Alptekin — also of Turkey — has been charged with doping too.
The Cork athlete also finished second behind Yanit at the Europeans three years ago, so could also be crowned 2010 European champion — depending on how far back the Turk’s offences date.
Yanit had “multiple positive findings following target tests carried out in-competition and out-of-competition” by track and field’s governing body, IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said today. Both cases have been referred to the Turkish athletic federation. Pending a verdict, both athletes are suspended and ineligible to compete.
“If they are convicted, they will be stripped of those medals,” Davies said. “For now though, they are just stopped from running until the legal process is completed.”
Yanit, a two-time European champion in the outdoor 100-metre hurdles, won the 60-meter hurdles gold at the European indoors in Gothenborg, Sweden, in March in 7.89 seconds. Alina Talay of Belarus was second, followed by Veronica Borsi of Italy and Leesider O’Rourke.
Yanit finished fifth in the London Olympics final in the 100 hurdles.
- additional reporting AP
