A top Chinese swimmer has been banned for life for doping only six weeks before the start of the Beijing Olympics.
The
Chinese Swimming Association said Friday, it imposed a lifetime ban
against star backstroker Ouyang Kunpeng after he failed an
out-of-competition drug test on May 1. Ouyang's coach, Feng Shangbao,
also received a life-time ban.
The association says it is cracking down on doping violations. First time offenders usually receive a two-year ban.
Ouyang
competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics and won three silver medals at the
2006 Asian Games. The 25-year-old was considered perhaps Olympic host
China's best chance of winning a backstroke medal this August.
Ouyang
is the biggest-name Chinese swimmer to fail a doping test for several
years. Chinese swimmers were involved in a series of doping scandals
in the 1990's.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
