Oly: Spanish cyclist out of Games over drugs

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2004
Oly: Spanish cyclist out of Games over drugs

MADRID, Aug 11 Reuters - Spanish cyclist Janet Puiggros Miranda has been dropped from
the national Olympic team after after a positive drugs test, the Spanish Cycling Federation
said.

The Federation said Puiggros Miranda was tested at the Spanish mountain bike championship
in Candanchu on July 17 and found to have erythropoietin, also known as EPO, in her system.

"After notifying the affected party, who waived the right to a 'B' test, the Federation
informed the Spanish Olympic Committee that the rider would no longer be participating
at Athens," the federation said in a statement.

"The federation will now begin proceedings to deal with the case."

Puiggros Miranda is the second Spanish athlete in two days to have been forced to drop
out of the Games after testing positive for EPO, a banned blood-boosting substance associated
with improved performance in endurance events.

Canoeist Jovino Gonzalez was dropped on Monday after failing a surprise pre-Olympic drug test.

Reuter sp

KEYWORD: OLY CYC DRUGS

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