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Russian curler suspected of doping...why would a curler need PEDs?

We asked our medical expert why a curler may take meldonium. Here are a few reasons.
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 13: Aleksandr Krushelnitckii of Olympic Athletes from Russia delivers a stone against Norway during the Curling Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Game on day four of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Curling Centre on February 13, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

A doping allegation has hit the sport of curling.

That's right, curling, the sport where Olympians push a rock from one side of an ice sheet to the other and intensely sweep the ice to direct the rock.

Russian outlet Sports Express reported that curler Alexksandr Krushelnitckii tested positive for meldonium. The drug is banned by the IOC. Kruschelnitckii won a bronze medal with his wife in the curling mixed doubles a week ago. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has not yet set a hearing date to make a ruling on the allegation.

If you're confused why a curler may need some sort of performance enhancing drug for his or her sport, you're not alone. It's not the kind of high-intensity sport where athletes are looking to get the extra edge. If anything, these athletes are looking to calm their nerves and keep their precision on point.

We asked our medical expert why a curler may take meldonium. Here are a few reasons:

Heart condition

According to 11Alive's medial correspondent Dr. Sujatha Reddy, the drug is used to treat multiple heart conditions in eastern Europe such as chronic heart failure or cardiomyopathy. Kruschelnitckii is only 25, and it's not known if he has any actual heart condition. However, it's unlikely at that age.

Even if he did, there are plenty of other drugs that could be used as a substitute, according to Reddy.

It's important to keep in mind that meldonium is a very common drug in Russia and can be bought over-the-counter. It's not FDA approved in the United States.

Getting acclimated to higher elevation

Meldonium was created by a Latvian scientist for Soviet soldiers in 1980, according to its creator.

The soldiers were stationed in the high-elevation mountains in Afghanistan. In higher elevations, there is less oxygen. The lack of air to breathe puts stress on the body and makes it harder to do things like exercise. It can take a couple of weeks for the body to get acclimated to higher elevations.

The drug is designed to open up the blood vessels in the body, and that can make it easier for blood and oxygen to flow through the body. It can also help athletes acclimate to the higher climate faster by reducing the oxygen needed during exercise. That's why the Soviet soldiers used it as they ran through the mountains.

"It's a bit of a stretch, but maybe you'll get more oxygenated red blood cells" by opening up the blood vessels, Reddy added.

PyeongChang is 2,460 feet above sea level.

Athletic advantage

Because the drug opens up the blood vessels of the body, it could give the athlete a bit of an advantage by increasing stamina.

The increased blood flow allows the heart to work more efficiently. Therefore, as the athlete works harder, the body may not respond in the same way and need minimal recovery. However, as previously explained, this doesn't necessarily seem like something a curler needs.

"It could help for something like this, but it would be minimal," Reddy said

In addition, some side effects could actually hinder the curler's mental ability and stamina. In addition to low blood pressure, Reddy speculated that additional side effects could include dizziness and light-headedness.

He didn't know

The drug was recently banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency at the start of 2016. However, that was long enough ago where prior use should not be detected on a drug test. There's speculation that it may take months for it to completely leave one's body, according to USA Today. But not years.

It could be possible he didn't know the drug was banned, but that seems farfetched considering that the Russian athletes are under a microscope for doping. The IOC banned Russia from the Winter Games because of an alleged state-sponsored doping program. The Russian athletes who were able to prove they were clean got to compete under the Olympic flag.

Plus, other Russian athletes have been caught using the drug. Tennis star Maria Sharapova was suspended for 15 months after she tested positive for it. Russian gymnast Nikolai Kuksenkov tested positive for it while competing for a national championship.

So finally, maybe he just thought he wouldn't get caught because he's a curler.

That didn't work.

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