The 28-year-old Russian had been seen turning the rifle 360 degrees after finishing shooting to speed up the time taken to place the weapon on her back.

Burtasova, née Pavlova, posted a video on Instagram of the technique.

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, she added the words: "Let's say goodbye, we won't see this again."

Burtasova told TASS that she had been instructed by the IBU to change the technique, but said she had not received an explanation why.

"During the last race in Östersund, I was told that it is impossible to throw a rifle like that," Burtasova said.

“Otherwise, it’s a disqualification

"I asked to explain the reason, but the IBU did not provide an answer."

Safety is likely to be the reason for the decision.

The IBU’s competition rules state that "making rifle movements that might endanger others or the competitors themselves, or that may be perceived by others as dangerous, is forbidden."

Burtasova has won two European titles during her career, with the Russian first winning gold in the single mixed relay event at Raubichi in 2019.

She triumphed in the super sprint the following year at the same venue in Belarus.

The Russian has competed under her maiden name Pavlova, but will now compete as Burtasova after getting married.