Ostapchuk: doping results a 'complete shock'

Nadzeya Ostapchuk has spoken out after being stripped of the gold medal after testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid.

Ostapchuk is denying any wrongdoing, saying she will fight to clear her name.

She says it's a complete shock to her and that in total she has been tested 16 times since April. She says you must be a complete idiot to take doping just before the competition, especially such an outdated drug as a steroid.

Ostapchuk has also accused Olympic organisers of prejudice against the Belarussian athletes.

The International Olympic Committee has stripped the gold medal from Belarus' Nadzeya Ostapchuk after she tested positive for metenolone.

Valerie Adams was told of the news last night by Chef de Mission Dave Currie and is overwhelmed at the news.

AUDIO: Valerie Adams talks to Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking

In a statement from her base in Switzerland, she says it's taking some time to take to sink in.

She says she's thrilled, and it makes her extraordinarily proud as a New Zealander.

Adams says it's good to see that drug testing makes a difference.

"To know that the drugs programme system is working, and these are the sort of things that come out of it and they're actually doing a really good job, so I really am speechless.

"I cried so much last week after the result in London and then today I just cried so many tears of joy. I went to Jean Pierre's house and told him and he started crying and I just fell into his arms and gave him a massive hug."

Adams says while it's amazing to have been awarded gold, she still feel she's been robbed.

"I just wish that my family that were here in London were able to see me with my medal on the top of the podium, and to also listen to the national anthem and enjoy the moment. Nevertheless we are going to enjoy the moment, somewhere, somehow."

She also says she's not giving Ostapchuk a second thought.

"She's history now, what's happened has happened. What are my feelings towards her? None at all, I don't want to waste any energy on her."

Ostapchuk looks to have a long battle ahead of her if she's going to appeal the decision to strip her of Olympic gold.

Chief executive of Drug Free Sport New Zealand Graeme Steel says it'll be tough for her to fight.

"Even if she shows that her sample was spiked by somebody else, someone sabotaged it, the argument would still be that nevertheless you had an advantage and consequently you lose the medal, that's the way the rules work."

Graeme Steel says it's a shame the positive test came back after the event, but he's thrilled for Valerie.

He says he finds it hard to believe that any athlete would be silly enough to take an old fashioned steroid.

"Doubly surprising - one, that they would use it at all unless they were almost certain that the testers weren't going to turn up, but to have any evidence at the time of an event is frankly stupid, or there's something else that's gone wrong."

Graham Steel says it's a substance you would normally associate with weightlifters, not track and field athletes.

New Zealand shot putting Commonwealth Games gold medallist Les Mills says he never suspected Ostapchuk.

"I didn't think anyone would be that silly."

Les Mills says Valerie Adams is one of the greatest athletes in New Zealand history and will go on to win more titles.

Dave Currie says it could take months before they get the medal.

"The process is that IOC need to get the gold medal back. The Belarussian has gone back to the wilds of Belarus, so that could take some time to do that."

Ostapchuk was tested the day before competition, and straight after the final.

Both samples showed up the presence of the steroid which boosts cellular tissue in muscles and stimulates male characteristics.

The Sports Minister is delighted at Valerie Adams gold medal and has been texting the 27-year-old to let her know.

Plans for a medal ceremony are being developed, but Murray McCully says it'll take some time.

He won't comment on whether he had suspicions about doping by Nadzeya Ostapchuk but says he's pleased the drug testing regime works.

Mr McCully says the only disappointment is the way it's played out.

"I'd have loved to have seen her standing on the podium and heard the New Zealand national anthem, but it didn't work out that way. So it's been a real roller coaster ride for her but she's a great New Zealander and a great athlete and so I'm tremendously pleased to see the outcome."

Mr McCully texted the shotputter overnight to congratulate her on being awarded the medal.

He says the country will give her full support and there's no reason why the 27-year-old can't compete in many more Olympic Games.

Mr McCully says there'll be some delay in organising a celebration with one of the problems being getting the gold medal to her.

"Valerie's got to compete in seven more competitions before she comes home, she's not back here currently until October. I'm talking to her management and we'll work out something that's going to be suitable in the circumstances. I think a lot of New Zealanders would want to see her given due ceremony."

The man writing Valerie Adams' autobiography says he always thought Nadzeya Ostapchuk was a drugs cheat.

Sportswriter Phil Gifford says one of the reasons he was convinced Ostapchuk a drugs cheat is that she's 31 and at that age improvements as an athlete come in tiny gains.

He says the last time Ostapchuk competed where she didn't have her Belarussian drugs testers with her was nine weeks before London.

"She throws 19.58 metres in Rome, she goes back and waits about a month which would be roughly about how long it would take for heavy steroid use to start to give you any benefit, and improves by two metres."

Adams threw 20.70 metres in the shot put final at the Olympic Stadium on August 6 and was originally awarded silver behind the Belarusian who took gold with 21.36 metres.

Photo: Nadzeya Ostapchuk celebrates her gold medal (Getty Images)