Dmitriy Ilinykh has returned to his previous role as the sports director of Belogorie Belgorod. This follows the conclusion of his suspension for an anti-doping violation, which involved a positive test for the banned substance methylhexanamine.
The suspension stemmed from a 2013 incident, where the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) reported a positive doping test from Ilinykh. Originally facing a two-year disqualification, Ilinykh reached a resolution agreement with the FIVB and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). He admitted to the violation under the FIVB Medical and Anti-Doping Regulations, resulting in a 15-month ineligibility period, which began in August 2022 and ended in November 2023.
Ilinykh, a former Russian volleyball player, had a distinguished career, including victories at the 2012 London Olympics, the CEV European Championship, and multiple FIVB and Russian national titles. However, due to the doping violation, he has been stripped of all his sports achievements from May 2013 to May 2015, including several major titles.
His career as an athlete ended in October 2021, and his suspension overlapped with his tenure as sports director at Belogorie, leading to his initial dismissal. Now reinstated, Ilinykh resumes his administrative role at the Russian sports club.
