Russian Olga Pyleva, who won the silver medal in the women's 15km biathlon, has failed a doping test at the Winter Olympics, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) official said on Thursday.

The official said that both samples taken from Pyleva tested positive for the stimulant carphedon.

She is to appear before the IOC disciplinary commission later in the day.

Pyleva, 30, had been due to start in the biathlon 7.5km sprint on Thursday morning but was withdrawn shortly before the start of the event.

The Russian won the gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics in the pursuit.

Source: Xinhua