American Alysia Montaño has been upgraded to the bronze medalist in the 2012 Olympic 800m after the race’s silver medalist had her result annulled due to a retroactive doping ban.
Turkiye’s Yekaterina Guliyev, who ran for Russia at the 2012 Olympics as Yekaterina Poistogova, had all of her results disqualified from July 17, 2012 to October 20, 2014, in a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision in March 2024, according to Russia’s track and field federation.
Guliyev’s case stemmed from evidence from an investigation into Russia’s anti-doping practices in the wake of the country’s systemic doping scandal a decade ago.
A CAS ruling said it was clear that Guliyev used banned steroids.
An appeal of Guliyev’s punishment was dismissed in May 2025, clearing the way for World Athletics to change the results and for the IOC to reallocate the silver medal to Pamela Jelimo of Kenya and the bronze to Montaño, who originally finished fifth in the 2012 Olympic 800m final.
Previously, original gold medalist Mariya Savinova of Russia was retroactively disqualified for doping, upgrading Caster Semenya of South Africa to be the gold medalist.
Montaño, who last competed in 2017, already was upgraded from fourth place to bronze medalist in the 800m from the world championships in 2011 to 2013 due to retroactive doping punishments for Russian runners.
The IOC has allowed athletes who earned reallocated medals to request when and where to receive them. Montaño has said she wants to receive hers in a ceremony at the LA28 Games.
“2012- 12 years ago. A lot of loss. 3 podium moments that should have happened in real time that didn’t?!” was posted on Montaño’s social media in 2024, when the news of Guliyev’s ban was announced. “There is also a lot I moved forward with by knowing deep down. I couldn’t let dopers win. I moved forward with my family knowing this Olympic medal was mine. I laid it out there every time. I have no regrets, only that I wish I was supported in real time - I ran with integrity I represented myself, my family, my country, my friends, my supporters and my community with honor. I respected and respect my competitors and their pursuit. That’s what the Olympic spirit is suppose to embody.”
Russia originally won 18 track and field medals at the 2012 London Games. Due to doping violations, that number has been reduced to four.
