In an decision that sent shockwaves through the sporting community, Natalya Antyukh, a Russian Olympian, was recently stripped of her London 2012 Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles event.
The title suspension was announced following a recent revision of historical data of Olympic games. The revision discovered historical data indicating Antyukh participated in doping during the games. According to records, Natalya was already serving a four-year ban due to anti-doping violations before losing her London 2012 title.
Lashinda Demus via her Facebook
The new Gold Medalist: Lashinda Demus
Lashinda Demus is a retired American hurdler who specialized in the 400-meter hurdles event. She was awarded the silver medal in 2012, but will now assume the vacant gold medal position.
Notably, she placed first at the 2011 and 2009 World Athletics Championships, in the 400-meter event and has been a podium finisher in the event since 2005.
How Natalya Antyukh became disqualified
Antyukh’s prior four-year ban had already disqualified all her results from June 30, 2013, to December 31, 2015. The stripping of her London 2012 title involves disqualifying her results from July 15, 2012, and June 29, 2013.
Oct 21, 2022 – The World Athletic Competition Department informed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of Natalya Antyukh’s ban on the use of prohibited substances.
Dec 16, 2022 – The Russian athlete had 45 days to appeal this announcement but failed to do so. She was therefore officially stripped of the London 2012 Summer Olympics gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles event.
