Think Curling Is Tame? Russian Curler Caught Up in Doping Scandal

Most people would probably not expect doping and curling to appear in the same sentence.

If you asked anyone to name their top three most exhilarating sports in the Winter Olympics, curling and cross-country skiing (because, why?) probably wouldn't rate a single mention.

For those not familiar with the sport that is curling, a 'curling stone' is glided on a surface and two players with brooms sweep in front of it to make it stop in the right place. It's similar to boules, if that helps.

If you're still not sure what's going on (don't worry, me too), it goes a bit like this:

Naturally, it doesn't seem like a lot of cardiovascular endurance or raw strength is really required, just the ability to skate and sweep at an Olympic level.

Therefore, the idea of doping in the curling field seems ludicrous, right?

Think again.

Russian curler and bronze-medallist Alexander Krushelnitsky is suspected of testing positive for a banned substance, meldonium, which is known for improving athletes' cardiovascular system and improving their capacity to exercise. It's the same drug that tennis player Maria Sharapova tested positive for and lead to her being banned from the sport for two years 

It's safe to say that people are pretty confused how—and—why someone could dope for curling.

Some basic googling suggests potential mood benefits of meldonium, but that seems extremely strange when there's legal drugs that can stabilize or improve mood.

— Breslin Birds (@BreslinBirds) February 18, 2018

Doping in curling? That’s like doing steroids before taking a written test.

— JerryAscione (@JerryAscione) February 18, 2018

It's understood that Krushelnitsky has left the Olympic village after failing the test and may lose the bronze medal he won with his wife and fellow curler, Anastasia Bryzgalova, over the Netherlands.

So, just in case you weren't sure, don't dope and curl, everyone.

Photo: iStock.com/Sasha_Suzi