I am absolutely clean - Belarus rower Bahdanovich on doping scandal

“Our meldonium levels were within the allowed limits. The World Anti-Doping Agency has admitted it. Hence, we are absolutely clean before law and our consciousness. We have not taken dopes; we have done nothing. We don't understand what we are being accused of," said Aliaksandr Bahdanovich emotionally at a press conference on July 18 at the National Olympic Committee headquarters in Minsk.

Euroradio reported earlier that Belarus men's rowing team was banned from all international competitions, including the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio, for one year over the use of the banned substance meldonium.

Belarus' rowing team head coach Uladzimir Shantarovich called on media to disseminate this problem worldwide. He expressed hope that the officials at the International Rowing Federation would eventuall be punished over false accusations.