Brits bag gold after Russian's drug ban

The Great Britain women's quadruple scull crew from the World Championships at Dorney Lake were yesterday promoted to gold medal winners, but the circumstances have left a stain on the sport.

Last August, rowers Debbie Flood, Sarah Winckless, Frances Houghton and Kath Grainger suffered the disappointment of finishing second to Russia.

However, Russian crew member Olga Samulenkova had tested positive for testosterone in July at a training camp.

Now they have been stripped of their medals and Samulenkova banned for two years.

"We're obviously delighted for our women's quadruple scull who are now world champions again after also winning the title in 2005," said GB rowing performance director David Tanner.

"However, this is disappointing news for the sport of rowing which has previously recorded so few doping positives."

The International Rowing Federation were notified of the result in late September and the positive finding was confirmed by the back-up B' sample in November.

All of Samulenkova's results dating back to July 23 2006 were annulled.

Britain were elevated to gold and Australia and Germany will move up to second and third respectively.