Abakumova discovered her love for athletics and throwing through her coach Irina Vladimirovna Kamarova.

[7][8] In May 2016, it was reported that Abakumova was one of 14 Russian athletes, and nine medalists, implicated in doping following the retesting of urine from the 2008 Olympic Games.

If confirmed, under IOC and IAAF rules, Abakumova stood to lose all results, medals, and records from the date of the original test to May 2016.

[10] Abakumova appealed the IOC's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

On 26 July 2018 the CAS dismissed Abakumova's appeal and upheld the IOC's decision.