2012 Olympic medallist Bilyal Makhov had received a four-year suspension after failing a dope test in February this year. Now, after almost four months since receiving the ban, the Russian wrestler has come out about the reason behind failing the dope test. In an interview with TASS, Makhov explained the situation saying he suspects that the prohibited drug was accidentally ingested.
“When the doping officers came to me, I just arrived from Germany after the operation. There was postoperative rehabilitation, I was injected with a lot of different hormonal drugs. I neglected this issue, did not quite give it due attention, where I needed it, I didn’t show up. Now they go off the proceedings, the commission will already decide how intent I was or if I was going to dishonestly take advantage of the situation.”
Also Read: Wrestling News: World champion Hassan Yazdani reveals his big plans post-Tokyo Olympics
Makhov claims that he is ready for punishment and suspects that he will receive a minimum two-year suspension. “It was in the non-competitive period, but since we are professionals, the athletes are in the international testing pool. I had to control the process, but I relaxed a little in this regard and flew in. I had surgery on my back, neck and knee, I was injected with hormonal drugs that restore cartilage. These drugs must be announced in advance, but I didn’t. I am collecting a full package of documents that I did and treated. Anyway, there will be penalties, the article implies at least two years of disqualification”.
The 32-year-old Russian wrestler is also a three-time World Champion (2007, 2009 and 2010). Besides this, he is also 2010 European Champion
