Figure skater Carolina Kostner banned from sport in doping case

Carolina Kostner of Italy, the reigning Olympic bronze medalist in figure skating, has been banned from her sport for 16 months after helping her then-boyfriend try to cover up his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Kostner will appeal the ruling through the Court of Arbitration for Sport, according to Italian media. Italy’s Olympic committee was reportedly seeking a heavier penalty for the 27-year-old skater.

Her case revolves around Alex Schwazer, an Olympic gold medalist race walker with whom she was romantically involved. Kostner has admitted that she lied when drug testers came looking for him at her home in 2012.

Schwazer failed a drug test before the London Olympics that summer.

Kostner had already decided to take a break from competition this season. She will be eligible to compete at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

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