The Belgian relay quartet of Kim Gevaert, Elodie Ouedraogo, Hanna Marien and Olivia Borlee yesterday belatedly received gold medals from the 2008 Olympics after a Russian sprinter tested positive for drugs.
Belgium were upgraded to gold after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped Russia of its gold medal in the women’s 4x100m relay after Yulia Chermoshanskaya tested positive for the steroids stanozolol and turinabol in a re-analysis of her doping samples.
“Congratulations to Belgium,” said Sebastian Coe, president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), as the Belgians received their medals from ex-IOC chief Jacques Rogge at a packed King Baudouin Stadium.
“The medal reallocation process has been expedited to ensure that the rightful Beijing 2008 Olympic relay gold medallists were properly honoured at Belgium’s and IAAF Diamond League’s annual athletics finale.
“It shows what can be achieved and we will endeavour to ensure these processes are generally accelerated in the future.”
Nigeria were upgraded to silver and Brazil bronze in the medal re-shuffle. Valerie Adams was trumped by American rival Michelle Carter in the Diamond League final in Brussels on Thursday, but the Kiwi shot putter finished the season atop the discipline’s standings.
Olympic champion Carter threw a best of 19.98 metres in the competition which was held in Brussels’ central square (Grand Place) on Thursday, with the main programme set for the more usual setting of King Baudouin Stadium yesterday.
Three-time world champion and twice Olympic gold medallist Adams finished second behind Carter with a best of 19.57m, but ended atop the Diamond Race, meaning she leaves $40,000 (35,460 euros) and a diamond for the better.
“I’d love to see more events like this,” said Adams. “The crowd were amazing and it was great to win my fifth Diamond Race.”