Dylan Armstrong agonized over the bronze medal lost in Beijing -- not only because he missed it by so little, but because he knew in his heart it was rightfully his. The Canadian thrower is one step closer to getting that shot put bronze medal from the 2008 Beijing Games after Belarusian Andrei Mikhnevich received a lifetime ban for a doping violation. "I worked hard for it, and I want it back," Armstrong told The Canadian Press in a phone interview. The 32-year-old from Kamloops, B.C., missed a medal by less than a centimetre -- about the width of a dime -- at the 2008 Games. And while nothing will replace that moment lost, Armstrong said "I just have to turn this whole thing around and turn it into a positive thing. Yes, its unfortunate it happened that way. But its still a medal coming my way so thats the most important thing. "Its my countrys medal too, we deserve it." There have been times a frustrated Armstrong has wanted to scream out to the world about the drug cheats in his sport, he admitted -- that night at Beijings Birds Nest Stadium notwithstanding. "Especially when you know its going on, and theres nothing you can do," the thrower said from Szcsecin, Poland, where hell compete in a meet Saturday. "A lot of the general public doesnt really know whats going on in the whole game. "Doping, its in sport. Theres obviously going to be those people willing to cheat for financial success, and financial rewards in those countries are quite big, you can pretty well be taken care of for life." Armstrong first heard bronze was within his grasp in March when Mikhnevich was suspended after renewed tests from the 2005 world championships in Helsinki. It was the Belarusians second doping offence, which comes with an automatic lifetime ban, effectively wiping out all his results past that time. Still, Armstrong was thrilled when he was in the Amsterdam airport Thursday morning and read on Twitter that the Belarusian Athletics Federation had suspended the drug cheat. "The wheels have started turning," said Armstrong, whose bronze would be Canadas first-ever Olympic medal in shot put. "Im extremely happy, its been a little bit of a roller-coaster since March, just waiting and seeing whats going to develop. But Im pretty delighted to see the IAAF (the world governing body for track and field) has really stepped up their testing and taken greater responsibility with this in trying to catch athletes. And not even the athletes, but federations that are involved in some of this. "Im just happy the IAAF and WADA is finally really starting to nail down these guys." Armstrong is also in position for a 2010 world indoor championship bronze, since Mikhnevich took silver at that event while Armstrong finished fourth. Hell likely get the world indoor medal first as it only needs rubber stamping from the IAAF. The Olympic bronze needs to go through both the IAAF and the International Olympic Committee. Armstrong, who was ranked No. 1 in the world in 2011, said hes proud of the fact he can be a positive role model for other athletes -- proof that competing clean can eventually pay off. "Youre going to get caught, and were really seeing that in the world today," he said. "Some of these athletes who have taken that route, its all coming back to haunt them now. It would not be a fun experience. It doesnt pay to cheat. Just train hard and be dedicated and really want it, and big things can come." Charmaine Crooks, a five-time Olympian in track and field and member of the IOCs athletes commission, said the Belarusians lifetime suspension renews the message about the need to remain strong against doping in sport. "This is a clear message that the system is working," Crooks said. "This is a great day not only for Dylan Armstrong, but also for all of Canada to be able to celebrate in this upgrade in this medal." Athletics Canada chairman Gordon Orlikow added: "We feel this is a vindication of everything were supposed to be doing together." Athletics Canada officials are unclear how soon Armstrong might receive his medal. It took nearly two-and-a-half years before Canadian cross-country skier Beckie Scott received her 2002 Olympic gold medal following the disqualification for doping of the gold and silver medallists. American shot putter Adam Nelson however received the 2004 Olympic gold four months after the original Athens champion Yuriy Bilonog of Ukraine was caught in a re-test. Armstrong, meanwhile, said hes finally at full health after he was plagued by an elbow injury last season, finishing a disappointing fifth at last summers London Olympics. "My mind is fresh and I feel really great," he said. "I took a lot of time off, probably the most time Ive taken off in 15 years. Just went on a few vacations, relaxed and let my elbow heal. Things are starting to come around." The six-foot-four thrower will compete next Wednesday at a meet outside Warsaw, then fly home for the Canadian championships in just over a week in Moncton. Mikhnevich was one of six athletes caught in the re-test from 2005, and the IAAF and WADA have vowed to continue investigating past results. The other five athletes caught were Belarusian shot putter Nazdeya Ostapchuk, hammer throwers Ivan Tsikhan and Vadim Devyatovsky of Belarus, Russian hammer thrower Olga Kuzenkova, and Russian long jumper Tatyana Kotova. Anthony Davis Jersey . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. Marcus Thornton Jersey . One game after a miserable showing in Oklahoma City, Gay tied a career high with 41 points and the Sacramento Kings cruised to a 114-97 victory at the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. https://www.cheappelicans.com/395u-jamaal-magloire-jersey-pelicans.html . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Lonzo Ball Jersey . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. Emeka Okafor Jersey .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Shake-ups are on their way for South Korean Dota 2 squad MVP Phoenix, which recently placed fifth/sixth at The International 6. Mid laner Pyo MP No-a has been listed as [leaving] the team on Valves official team registration site for the upcoming Fall Major.This development comes on the heels of reports that MVPs players are currently negotiating contracts. A notable South Korean commentator and streamer posted a recent interview with MVP offlaner Lee Forev Sang-don, in which the three-role player was quoted saying that players were getting offers.The team agreed that the best option would be all five of us staying together, Forev said. But if some of us get rreally good offers individually we would let them go.ddddddddddddfter placing well at The International, more eyes than ever are on the five players of MVP Phoenix. The team had high aspirations at TI6 and had a better showing than many expected.We have reached out to MVP Phoenix for clarification on the matter, but due to the nature of his departure, its likely that No-a has received an offer from another team. Which team is anyones guess, but the details will come out in the second phase of the upcoming Majors roster lock period. ' ' '