Cypriot weightlifter sent home after failing drug test

Martasides' credential for Rio was revoked following the test. He is the third athlete to be involved in a drug controversy since the Olympic village opened.

Published : Aug 06, 2016 21:26 IST

Irish boxer Michael O'Reilly also faces being sent home from Rio after failing a test.

Cypriot weightlifter Antonis Martasides has been sent home from the Olympic Games after failing a drugs test, it was reported Saturday. The Cyprus Mail said on its website that Martasides had tested positive for a banned substance following an out-of-competition test on July 25 in Athens.

Martasides' credential for Rio was revoked following the test. He is the third athlete to be involved in a drugs controversy since the Olympic village opened.

Irish boxer Michael O'Reilly also faces being sent home from Rio after failing a test. O'Reilly, a middleweight medal prospect, is reportedly hoping to win a reprieve through a swift appeal.

Italian beach volleyball player Viktoria Orsi Toth has also been excluded from the Games after failing a drugs test carried out on July 19.