Bulgaria Weightlifting Team Appeals Ban From 2016 Rio Olympics
The International Weightlifting Federation's executive board had barred Bulgaria last month as "not eligible to participate" in the 2016 Rio Olympics in August.
- Associated Press
- Updated: December 08, 2015 10:10 PM IST
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Banned from the 2016 Rio Olympics for excessive doping, Bulgaria's weightlifting team has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). (Bulgarian Weightlifters Banned From Rio Olympics After Failing Dope Tests)
The sport's highest court said the Bulgarian federation also challenged a USD 500,000 fine and wants sanctions frozen pending the verdict.
No date is set for the appeal hearing.
The International Weightlifting Federation's executive board barred Bulgaria last month as "not eligible to participate" in Rio de Janeiro in August.
In March, eight men and three women in the Bulgaria team tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol during training.
Bulgaria has a tainted record in Olympic weightlifting.
In 2008, the team was withdrawn weeks before the Beijing Games after 11 lifters tested positive for banned drugs.
In 2000, the team was sent home from Sydney and stripped of three medals.