The Kiwi men's quadruple sculls crew, from left, Nathan Flannery, Jade Uru, George Bridgewater and John Storey have received a belated berth for the Rio Olympics.

The New Zealand men's quadruple sculls crew has been handed a Rio Olympics reprieve after a Russian athlete failed a drug test.

World Rowing confirmed on Friday the Kiwi quartet would replace Russia in the Olympic field due to a positive test returned by Sergey Fedorovtsev.

Jade Uru, Nathan Flannery, George Bridgewater and John Storey would now go in their place after narrowly missing a berth at the Games at the last chance Olympic qualifying regatta in Switzerland in May.

At that regatta, the Kiwis finished third but needed a top two finish to qualify for Rio. The Russians were the winners, but with Federovtsev's failed drug test the NZ crew has moved up to second.

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Fedorovtsev tested positive for prohibited substance Trimetazidine following an out-of-competition test on May 17 and the B sample returned the same result on Thursday, leading to the Kiwis' promotion.

"The Olympic qualification place for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games earned by the Russian men's quadruple sculls on 24 May 2016 is hereby withdrawn and the Fisa executive committee has decided that the New Zealand men's quadruple sculls, which was placed third, is hereby attributed this Olympic qualification quota spot," a World Rowing statement said.

Often prescribed as a treatment for angina, Trimetazidine can improve physical efficiency, particularly in endurance sports.

NEW ZEALAND READY TO ROW

Rowing New Zealand chief executive Simon Peterson said their crews that had just missed out on Olympic qualification had remained focused and prepared.



"We have appreciated the emotional ups and downs as the athletes first missed qualification only to be asked to remain in competition mode," Peterson said.

"We are hugely disappointed that our athletes found themselves competing against cheats however very pleased that today they have achieved their goal of winning a spot at the Olympic Games in Rio."

As the national body had not ruled out the possibility of a positive drug test affecting qualifying results, the men's quad had continued to train after returning home from the May regatta.

Following the news made of the Russians disqualification, the crew will remain training in New Zealand until July 24, when the Kiwi rowing team departs for Brazil.

On Wednesday, 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Bridgewater said he liked to believe all their rivals were "above board", but felt it was hard to be sure.

"I read the articles, obviously, and maybe I'm a little naive ... It's hard to make allegations and point fingers on other articles.

"Some are a little bit scary, but until we hear things are official about that, and there's been a proper investigation, it's hard to come to any conclusions.

"Obviously I can't stand the idea if there were dopers in our sport - I'm probably not so naive as to think that it doesn't exist, but I always felt that it was relatively low in rowing."

NZ Olympic committee chief executive Kereyn Smith congratulated the athletes and reinforced that integrity in sport is paramount.

"Our athletes are proud to compete clean and we are delighted to confirm them as members of the New Zealand Olympic Team today," she said.

"We commend Fisa for taking ongoing steps to remove drug cheats from competition."

New Zealand now has 11 of a possible 14 boats qualified for the Rio Games.

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