A hearing in the case of Russian curler Alexander Krushelnitsky, who tested positive for the banned substance meldonium, was yet to be scheduled, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Wednesday.
“If the parties want a hearing, it will be fixed before the end of the week,” CAS told Reuters in an e-mail.
Krushelnitsky, who won bronze in Pyeongchang with his wife in mixed doubles curling, has denied taking banned substances.
The Russian Olympic delegation in Pyeongchang has launched an investigation into the case and said on February 20 it could not explain how meldonium, a drug that can aid in endurance, had made its way into Krushelnitsky's body.
Russian authorities have come to Krushelnitsky's defence, with Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov saying he could not have taken the drug deliberately.
Dmitry Svishchev, the president of the Russian curling federation, has told Reuters the drug could have been slipped into Krushelnitsky's food or drink.
The doping case has come at a delicate time for Russia, which has been accused of running a state-backed, systematic doping programme for years, an allegation Moscow denies.
Its athletes are competing at Pyeongchang as neutral athletes, and Russia had been hoping that a clean record at the Games would enable it to return to full Olympic status.
‘Could have been set up’
Meanwhile, Russian women's curling coach Sergei Belano says he is convinced Krushelnitsky, charged with doping, was slipped meldonium without his knowledge.
Belano says he doesn't believe Krushelnitsky would have taken the drug because it would be foolish to do so. Belano said he is certain someone must have drugged Krushelnitsky. Belano did not explicitly say who he suspects would have done such a thing, but he said that multiple housekeepers come in and out of the athletes' rooms each day.
Russian curling officials have said Krushelnitsky could have been set up by a rival Russian athlete or a political enemy of the country.
Meldonium is designed for people with heart problems and some believe it can help athletes increase stamina. It was banned in sports in 2016.
(With inputs from AP )
