Olympic champion cleared in doping charge

Olympic champion cleared in doping charge

Dec 19, 2013 by Christopher Chavez
Olympic champion cleared in doping charge

Olympic 1,500-meter champion Asli Cakir Alptekin of Turkey was cleared of doping charges by the Turkish Athletics Federation on Thursday. The federation announced she did not violate any rules after the IAAF asked to investigate her abnormal blood levels on her biological passport. The IAAF could still make an appeal of the ruling. 

Cakir Alptekin could face a lifetime ban if found guilty of another offence. She already served a two year ban after a positive drug test at the 2004 World Junior Championships.  The 28-year-old did not compete in 2013 after being provisionally suspended in May. 

2013 was a rough year for Turkey as a drug scandal broke out and 31 athletes were suspended before the International Olympic Committee voted for the 2020 Summer Olympics' host city. Istanbul was one of the finalists.