Owing to the delay in taking a decision concerning canoeist Sergey Tarnovski, who medalled bronze in the 1,000 m race at the Rio Olympics and was suspended after he failed the dope test, the Ministry of Youth and Sport cannot honor its obligations towards the other four athletes who represented Moldova at the Olympic (3) and Paralympic (1) Games and achieved remarkable results. An official letter was sent to the International Canoe Federation in order to find out at what stage the case it, IPN reports.

Minister of Youth and Sport Victor Zubcu told a news conference that a commission of inquiry will be set up. “As a Ministry and as an authority, we will discourage any form of doping. This is a phenomenon that erodes sport and we should discourage it by all possible means,” stated the minister.

Sergey Tarnovski is the first Moldovan athlete who medalled at the Rio Olympics. He ranked third in the 1,000 m canoe sprint with the result of 4:00.852. The 19-year-old athlete was outstripped by Germany’s Sebastian Brendel (3:56.926) and Brazil’s Isaquias Queiroz (3:58.529). Later, the Ukrainian athlete who represented Moldova at the Rio Olympic Games failed the dope test. He challenged the test result and is waiting for a decision.