Athletics' world governing body the IAAF is probing claims that Russia's Olympic 20km walk champion Elena Lashmanova took part in a race despite being on a two-year doping ban.
"The IAAF can confirm that it has been informed by multiple sources that Lashmanova may have competed in a Russian race in December while under sanction," an IAAF spokesman confirmed to AFP on Thursday.
"The IAAF medical and anti-doping department are investigating those allegations."
Italian walk race periodical Marcia dal Mondo claimed that the 22-year-old competed in the regional championships of Mordovia, from where she hails.
According to Marcia dal Mondo, photos show the Olympic champion on top of the podium at the event although Lashmanova's name did not appear in the official results.
The 2012 Olympic champion and 2013 world champion whose ban runs to February 2016 now risks missing the Rio Games scheduled for August that year if it is proved that she violated the conditions of her ban.
Her initial ban could be modified and she could face a further suspension equal in length to the original one.
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