Ukraine Nordic skier Lisogor fails doping test in Sochi

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) - Ukrainian cross country skier Marina Lisogor has tested positive for a banned substance at the Sochi Olympic Games, the country's Olympic committee said on Saturday.

Lisogor, 30, told a disciplinary hearing that she had unwittingly consumed the banned substance in a medicine.

"The decision about the future fate of the athlete will be taken in line with IOC rules," the Ukraine Olympic Committee said.

It said it had been informed by the International Olympic Committee that the banned substance was trimetazidine, which was included on the banned list from January 1, 2014 and improves glucose utilisation.

"Marina Lisogor explained at the disciplinary commission that she took a medicine, not knowing that it contained this banned substance and that she had unwittingly violated anti-doping rules of the IOC," the statement said.

The test is the third positive result to have been confirmed at the Games after cases involving German biathlete Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle and Italian bobsledder William Frullani.

Lisogor competed in two events at the Sochi Olympics -- the women's sprint and 10 km classic, coming well down the field on both occasions.

The positive test has no impact on Ukraine's gold medal on Friday in the women's biathlon relay, which was celebrated as a national triumph amid the violence shaking the country.

Cross country skiing and biathlon are separate sports.