Russian biathlete Olga Pyleva has been banned from competition
for two years following her failed dope test at the Winter
Olympics, The International Biathlon Union (IBU) said.
Pyleva, the silver medallist in the biathlon 15km, was stripped
of her medal and expelled from the Olympics by the International
Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday.
The Russian's medical advisor, Nina Vinogradova, was also banned
for two years from biathlon activities.
"She had a 45-minute hearing in front of the disciplinary
commission on Friday and presented the same defence as on the
previous day," said IBU secretary-general Michael Geistlinger on
Friday.
Pyleva claimed she had taken the drug in medication for a foot
injury and did not know that the ingredients included the banned
stimulant carphedon.
But a three-strong IOC disciplinary commission found her guilty
under the strict anti-doping liability law.
The two-year ban is effective from February 13, the day of the
15km race at the Winter Olympics and will run until February 12,
2008.
Russian team officials had earlier announced that Pyleva was
flying home on Friday.
Despite Italy's strict anti-doping laws, which treats athletes
who take banned drugs as criminals, Pyleva has not been quizzed by
Italian prosecutors.
Officials said it could take two weeks before the 'Pyleva file'
has been fully studied.
An IOC spokesman confirmed that the dossier had been handed over
to Italian authorities.
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(CRI February 19, 2006)