Olympic athlete stripped of medal and handed 10-year ban after 'dirtiest race in history'

A top Olympian once had her medal taken away after being banned from competing for 10 years.

Back in 2012, Russia's Tatyana Tomashova took home the silver medal during a controversial women's 1500m event at the London Olympic Games.

Despite finishing the race in fourth, Tomashova eventually claimed silver after two of the women ahead of her were disqualified after returning positive doping tests after the race.

But, over a decade after the race, the two-time world champion has met a similar fate as she has had her prized medal stripped after being handed a massive ban from competing in the sport.

Turkish athletes Asli Cakir Alptekin and Gamze Bulut finished the 1500m race in first and second, but later returned positive doping tests, upgrading Tomashova's fourth place finish to second.

However, in September it was confirmed that the Russian's silver medal would also be stripped as she was given a ten year ban after testing positive for anabolic steroids.

As more details of the London 2012 race have emerged, it has earned itself the label of the “dirtiest race in history” as, further down the field in seventh and ninth, Russians Ekaterina Kostetskaya and Natallia Kareiva have also been banned for doping.

The recent revelation of the results of Tomashova's doping test now means that a shocking six women from of the top nine in the race have since been banned for doping.

This meant that Sweden's Abeba Aregawi was handed a new silver medal during a ceremony at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after her bronze medal was upgraded.

Interestingly, Aregawi also had an anti-doping violation in 2016 but was never banned.

The women's 1500m event at the London 2012 Olympic Games has since been labelled the "dirtiest race in history" after six of the top nine athletes returned positive doping tests. (Image: Getty)

Speaking after the race in 2021, Team GB’s Lisa Dobriskey, who finished 10th, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I don’t believe I’m competing on a level playing field.”

The latest ban means that Dobriskyey will now be moved to fifth, while British teammate, Laura Weightman, who finished 11th in the race has risen to sixth.

Reacted to the news of Tomashova's ban on an Instagram story, Weightman said: "11th to 6th in the years since the London 2012 final. Hard to comprehend.

"I'll always be proud of my career and showing what is possible running clean."