Rob Heffernan and Olive Loughnane set for medal upgrades after provisional suspension for Russians

Rob Heffernan could be set to be retrospectively awarded a bronze medal for his efforts at London 2012.

The reigning 50km world champion finished in fourth spot at the Olympics two-and-a-half years ago but the IAAF have revealed that they have provisionally suspended 20km race gold-medallist Sergei Kirdyapkin in the wake of doping allegations against the Russian. Heffernan was presented with his 2010 European bronze medal just last month after Stanislav Emelyanov was given a drugs ban and, if Kirdyapkin's suspension is upheld, then Heffernan could be looking at Olympic bronze. Meanwhile, World championship gold could be on the cards for Olive Loughnane after the woman who beat her in Berlin in 2009, Olga Kaniskina, was also slapped with a provisional suspension. Loughnane finished second in the women’s 20km race, behind Kaniskina, but she could be upgraded to World champion if the Russian's ban is upheld. A statement from RUSADA (Russian Anti-doping Agency) reads: Russian Anti-Doping Agency "RUSADA" based on the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee of the Anti-Doping decided disqualified for doping rule violation, as expressed in the use of prohibited substances and (or) a prohibited method, the following athletes: Kaniskina Olga for three years and two months from 15.10.2012, with the cancellation of the results for the period: July 15, 2009 - September 16, 2009, 30 July 2011 - 08 November 2011. Sergei Kirdyapkin for three years and two months from 15.10.2012, with the cancellation of the results of the July 20, 2009 - September 20, 2009, June 29, 2010 - August 29, 2010 December 17, 2011 - June 11, 2012. Bakulina Sergei three years and two months from 24.12.2012 to the cancellation of the results for the period: January 25, 2011 - March 25, 2011, June 16, 2011 - August 16, 2011, April 11, 2012 - June 11, 2012. Borchina Valery eight years from 15.10.2012, with the cancellation of the results for the period: July 14, 2009 - September 15, 2009, June 16, 2011 - September 27, 2011, April 11, 2012 - September 3, 2012. Kanaikina Vladimir life from 17.12.2012 to the cancellation of results for the period January 25, 2011 - March 25, 2011, June 16, 2011 - September 27, 2011. Doping rule violation has been established on the basis of abnormal performance hematological profile athletes in the framework of the biological passport of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).