Olympics News: Sara Hall Demands Justice for US Star Deprived of Podium Due to Russian Athletes’ Doping

Ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, the sports world is immersed in riveting competition and troubling controversy. Ekaterina Poistogova-Guliyev, a former Russian track and field athlete who later switched allegiance to Turkey, is facing a four-year ban for doping violations by the Russian Athletics Federation. The ban covers a period from July 2012 to October 2014 and is based on evidence from the Moscow anti-doping laboratory.

This means all her results during that time frame are being voided. In response to this ruling, Sara Hall, the second-fastest American woman in half marathon history, has vehemently called for justice to be served for her fellow American athlete, who was unjustly denied a place on the podium due to Poistogova-Guliyev’s doping transgressions.

Sara Hall advocates for justice for US track star from the 2012 Olympics

In her Instagram story, 2011 Pan American Games 3000-meter steeplechase champion Sara Hall shared a picture of Alysia Montaño, from the London 2012 Olympics women’s 800m final. In her caption, she penned, “@alysiamontano missed out on 3 medals due to doping, the most recent upgrade happening 12 years later. Hoping for some more justice for you my friend- financially and that medal ceremony!”

Sara Hall even encouraged others to follow Alysia Montaño and support her efforts to improve the sport and leave a positive legacy. As we reflect on these words by Sara Hall, let us see how the doping of Ekaterina Poistogova-Guliyev and her compatriot Mariya Savinova cost Alysia Montaño three medals in her career.

How Alysia Montaño missed three medals because of the doping scandal by Ekaterina Poistogova-Guliyev and Mariya Savinova

Ekaterina Poistogova-Guliyev initially finished third in the 800m race but was upgraded to a silver medal when the original winner, Mariya Savinova, was found guilty of doping and stripped of her gold medal. Now, after Poistogova-Guliyev’s ban and her disqualification, Alysia Montaño, who originally finished fifth, is likely to be upgraded to the bronze medal position. This forthcoming honor will complement the two world championship bronze medals Montaño received in 2019 for her performances in the 2011 and 2013 World Championships.

At the 2011 World Championships, Montaño originally finished fourth in the 800m final. However, the gold medalist, Mariya Savinova, was later disqualified because of doping violations. This moved Montaño up to the bronze medal position. Similar to the 2011 Championships, Montaño finished fourth in the 800m final at the World Championships in 2013. Again, the gold medalist, Mariya Savinova, was later disqualified for doping.

If not for Savinova’s doping violation, Montaño would have been awarded the bronze medal. The medals were awarded to Montaño during the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar. In 2016, Alysia Montaño  shared her emotional state, emphasizing the impact of the doping scandals that impacted athletes, saying, “I’m missing three medals in like eight years of my life as a professional runner.” Now, twelve years later, as Montaño eagerly anticipates her third medal, Sara Hall’s impassioned plea for justice brings to light the enduring resilience of Montaño. With fervent hope, fans await Montaño’s overdue repayment for her unwavering dedication and perseverance.

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