Banned Ivanova puts Olympic appeal process to one side to take European title

The Russian was handed a lifelong ban from the Games for doping by the International Olympic Committee shortly before Christmas and stripped of the Olympic silver medal she won in the team relay at Sochi 2014.

She submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the ruling due on February 2, but can continue to compete at World Cup level in the meantime after the International Luge Federation (FIL) refused to sanction her for doping.

And the Russian luger added to her European Championship titles from 2010 and 2012 when she took victory in Sigulda on Saturday, with a winning time of 1:23.989.

Silver went to current Olympic and World Cup champion Natalie Geisenberger, of Germany, while Italy's Sandra Robatscher, the niece of record-breaking world champion Armin Zoeggeler, was third.

Ivanova said: "I'm really happy. I only managed three practice runs because I was in Lausanne.

"The situation with the CAS appeal in Switzerland and the European Championships was mentally challenging for me here. This gold medal is as precious as platinum to me."

Geisenberger, who is the record-holder when it comes to overall World Cup wins with six having wrapped up the title in Lillehammer, said: "I managed to finish on the podium in all of the World Cup races this winter.

"This shows that I am in a good shape and a consistent performer. It was a great race. Sigulda is always pretty special, but I actually like racing here now because I relish the challenge."

Sportsbeat 2018