Russian doping whistleblower banned

The Russian athlete that gave evidence of alleged doping involving a leading coach has been suspended for four years for various drug offences.

A Russian sprinter who gave evidence of alleged doping involving a leading coach has been banned for four years for his own drug offences.

The All-Russia Athletics Federation says that Alexander Khyutte received the ban from the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a failed drug test, an attempt to use a banned substance, and an attempt to avoid drug testing.

After he was accused of the offences, Khyutte had contacted the world governing body, the IAAF, with allegations that his former coach Zukhra Vereshchagina and other Russian athletes were involved in drug use.

The IAAF told The Associated Press earlier this month that it was investigating Vereshchagina.

Neither the IAAF nor CAS had any immediate comment.

Athletes who give "substantial assistance" to investigations of others' doping offences can get reduced bans, though it wasn't clear whether that was considered in Khyutte's case.