Russian sprint cyclist Baranova fails drugs test

London (dpa) - Russia‘s track cycling team suffered an embarrassment on Friday after Victoria Baranova was sent home for failing a drugs test.

The 22-year-old had been due to race in the women‘s Keirin on Friday but a spokesman for cycling‘s governing body, the UCI, confirmed she had tested positive for testosterone late last month.

"It is the result of a test carried out by the IOC before the Games," the spokesman told dpa. "She has admitted to taking a banned substance and was sent home two or three days ago."

Baranova won the keirin at the European junior track championships in Portugal in July. British sprinter Mark Cavendish told the BBC that any failed drugs test was bad news for the reputation of cycling, which continues to be hit by doping scandals.

"It is frustrating. Our sport has been dragged through a lot, really dragged through the mud," he said. "It is always in the spotlight."

"Our sport has put in so much money and effort and a few individuals just don‘t care and it‘s not fair on the rest of us. It really winds me up. It‘s really disappointing." dpa scl