NZ quad qualifies for Rio after Russia banned

The New Zealand men's quad sculls are off to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after a member of the Russian team failed a drug test.

Russia had qualified after finishing ahead of New Zealand at the final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne in May.

However, a member of the Russian crew returned a positive drug test, meaning he and the team were subsequently disqualified from Rio 2016, it was announced on Friday.

The ruling means the New Zealand crew of John Storey, George Bridgewater, Nathan Flannery and Jade Uru will take their place.

"Rowing New Zealand and the New Zealand Olympic Committee were notified of the positive test results this morning by [The World Rowing Federation] FISA," a statement read. "FISA has confirmed that Sergej Fedorovtsev provided both A sample and B samples that have tested positive for Trimetazidine."

The Olympic rowing regatta begins on August 6.