Russia's men's quadruple sculls have been disqualified from the Olympics due to a doping violation allowing New Zealand another spot at the regatta.
The World Rowing Federation, FISA, announced that an out-of-competition urine sample from rower Sergej Fedorovstev has tested positive for Trimetazidine which is on the banned list.
The New Zealand men's quadruple sculls had continued training just in case. And now they're trying to use the emotional rollercoaster to their advantage.
The team narrowly missed out on qualification for the games were officially attributed the Olympic spot in a statement from World Rowing.
"The Olympic qualification place for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games earned by the Russian men's quadruple sculls on 24 May 2016 is hereby withdrawn and the FISA Executive Committee has decided that the New Zealand men's quadruple sculls, which was placed 3rd, is hereby attributed this Olympic qualification quota spot," the statement read.
CEO of Rowing New Zealand, Simon Peterson, says the Kiwi crew have remained focused and prepared.
"We have appreciated the emotional ups and downs as the athletes first missed qualification only to be asked remain in competition mode," he said.
"We are hugely disappointed that our athletes found themselves competing against cheats however very pleased that today they have achieved their goal of winning a spot at the Olympic Games in Rio."
The crew, John Storey, George Bridgewater, Nathan Flannery and Jade Uru, will remain training in New Zealand until July 24th when they will depart for Rio ahead of day one of the regatta which kicks off on August 6th.
Newshub.
