Ukraine athlete stripped of silver medal

Lyudmila Blonska of Ukraine competes during the women's long jump qualification round at the Bird's Nest National Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Aug 19 2008.

BEIJING // Lyudmila Blonska has been stripped of her heptathlon silver medal for doping. The Ukrainian athlete has been disqualified and kicked out of the Beijing Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as they back up their threat to severely punish any athlete found guilty of doping offences. Blonska tested positive for a steroid after finishing second in the heptathlon last Saturday. She was temporarily suspended by the IOC yesterday, and her medal was officially removed today. Blonska was also dropped from today's long jump final. The IOC also reserved the right to take sanctions against her coach, Sergei Blonsky. The American Hyleas Fountain, who initially won the bronze medal, has been promoted to silver, with Russia's Tatiana Chernova moving from fourth to take the bronze. Blonska faces a lifetime ban because it is her second doping offence. She is the biggest name among the five athletes who have tested positive so far at the games.

*AP