Weightlifting medallist excluded from Rio Olympics for doping

Izzat Artykov, who won the bronze medal in the 69kg contest in this year's game, tested positive for strychnine. Chinese swimmer, Chen Xinyi and Brazilian road cyclist, Kleber Ramos have also been disqualified from the Olympics after failing doping tests.

Izzat Artykov, of Kyrgystan, grabs his back after an unsuccessful lift in the men's 69kg weightlifting competition at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

A Kyrgyzstan weightlifter on Thursday became the first athlete to be excluded from the Rio Olympics for doping, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said.

Izzat Artykov, who won the bronze medal in the 69kg contest in this year's game, tested positive for strychnine, a CAS statement said. "His medal is forfeited and he is excluded from the Olympic Games," the CAS anti-doping tribunal announced.

A Chinese swimmer and Brazilian road cyclist have also been disqualified from the Olympics after failing doping tests. The Court of Arbitration for Sport issued final verdicts Thursday in the cases of swimmer Chen Xinyi and cyclist Kleber Ramos.

The 18-year-old Chen, who finished fourth in the 100-meter butterfly, had previously accepted a “provisional suspension” after testing positive for a diuretic. She pulled out of her final event, the 50-meter freestyle.

After a hearing was held in the case, the court said she had been formally disqualified and her fourth-place result annulled. The international swimming federation, FINA, was asked to consider any further sanctions.

Ramos, meanwhile, tested positive for the blood-booster EPO in a pre-games test on July 31. He had accepted a provisional suspension “on a voluntary basis” and did not request a hearing.

The court said he has now been disqualified and kicked out of the games. His case was referred to the international cycling body, which could impose a two-year ban. Ramos competed in the men’s Olympic road race on Aug. 6 but failed to finish.