Chinese Wrestler Banned from Olympics After Positive Drug Test

  03 July 2008

Wrestler Luo Meng has become the second Chinese Olympic hopeful to be banned for life after testing positive for a banned substance.

The state-run Xinhua news agency made the announcement Wednesday. Luo tested positive for a banned diuretic that can be used to purge by-products of performance-enhancing drugs. The wrestler's coach, Zhang Hua, also received a permanent ban.

First-time offenders usually receive a two-year ban. But Chinese officials have cracked down on doping ahead of the Beijing Games next month. In March, China's sports ministry said any national athlete who tested positive would be banned for life with their coach.

Luo followed top swimmer Ouyang Kunpeng, whose positive test for a banned steroid was confirmed last week with a lifetime ban.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.

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