5 Soviets and 2 Americans Banned in Modern Pentathlon Drug Case

The Soviet Union was stripped of two world championships, and 15 athletes--including two Americans--were banned for 30 months Monday by the International Modern Pentathlon Federation in the biggest drug scandal in the sport’s history.

Anatolij Starostin, the 1980 Olympic champion, lost his world title, and the Soviet Union was also stripped of the women’s world team title.

The moves came after Soviet bronze medalist Tatjana Tchernetskaya was found to be among 12 athletes using banned sedative drugs at the world championships in Montecatini, Italy, Aug. 12-15.

The sedatives and beta blockers, which reduce anxiety, are used to help performance in shooting events.

Americans Blair Driggs and Lori Norwood, who placed 56th and 12th in the world championships, were banned for taking sedatives, along with 5 Soviets, 5 Poles and 3 Bulgarians.