Belarus player tests positive

Belarus were the surprise package of the Olympics

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IHF) announced on Wednesday that a Belarus player tested positive for the steroid nandrolone after his nation's Olympic bronze medal match against Russia.

The IHF refused to identify the player until the result of a B-sample is known but revealed he has been suspended immediately.

The unfancied Belarus team caused a major shock at the Olympics, defeating Sweden 4-3 in the quarter-finals before losing 7-1 to eventual winners Canada.

The player is not the first Belarussian to face allegations of doping.

Short track speedskater Yulia Pavlovic was also found to have elevated levels of nandrolone in a urine test.

She escaped with a warning from the International Olympic Committee because of a broken seal on a sample bag, but her coach and the Belarus team doctor were given an Olympic ban for their part in the affair.