Figure Skating

The International Skating Union confirmed Tuesday that the Soviet Union’s Marina Klimova, who teamed with husband Sergei Ponomarenko in winning the last two World Championships in dance, failed a recent drug test and could be suspended for two years.

Beate Hasler, ISU president, said that Klimova had a higher ratio of the male hormone testosterone to epitestosterone than allowed under ISU rules when she was tested after a first-place finish in the recent European Championships at Sofia, Bulgaria. Hasler said that indicated illegal use of either natural or synthetic testosterone. Some doctors, however, contend the testosterone level can be elevated by birth-control pills. Her sample will be retested. If it is positive, she will be suspended for two years, pending appeals.