After Maria Savinova was Stripped of Her Global Medals, Brenda Martinez and Alysia Montano are Set for Medal Upgrades

By Adam Kopet, DyeStat Editor

Friday saw the announcement of Maria Savinova, the Russian 800-meter runner, being banned for doping offenses for four years and stripped of her global medals, including London 2012 Olympic gold.

Savinova had been suspended since she appeared in undercover footage, filmed by Yulia Stepanova, discussing her use of performance enhancing drugs. Her blood samples have since been re-examined, leading to her official ban.

Caster Semenya, the Rio 2016 Olympic Champion from South Africa, will be in position to become a two-time Olympic champion. She originally captured the silver medal with Ekaterina Poistogova of Russia securing the bronze. Poistogova is currently under investigation for doping violations.

Both Brenda Martinez and Alysia Montano are in position to receive medal upgrades following Savinova's loss of medals. Martinez is set to be upgraded to silver from the 2013 World Championships. Montano is set to be awarded bronze medals from the 2011 and 2013 World Championships.

Should Poistogova also lose her medals, Montano would be in line for a bronze medal from the London Olympics. Montano originally finished fifth in that race.