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Chinese race-walker banned after testing positive for drugs
BEIJING, Sept 1 (AFP) - China's race-walker Liu Yunfeng has been banned by Chinese sports officials from competing at the Sydney Olympics after testing positive for drugs, reports said Friday. Liu, who won gold in May's national championships and was selected for China's Olympic team in the 20km race-walk, tested positive on July 13 after a random test, the Beijing Youth Daily said. His coach Zhang Fuxin, clearly worried he himself may be banned by Chinese sports officials intent on cleaning up China's image, was quick to say he knew nothing about the drugs. "He tested fine in the previous (European) competitions. On July 13, he was found to have used banned drugs. Liu Yunfeng himself said he doesn't know how it happened, and this has nothing to do with me," Zhang said. Zhang, China's top coach for the women's race-walking team, is currently training China's men and women race-walkers in the moutainous province of Qinghai in western China. It is not clear how Liu's case will affect Zhang as the case is under investigation, but according to regulations from China's Sports Commission anyone found connected to doping scandals will be forbidden from going to the Olympics. Zhang, a well-known coach who has seen several of his proteges win silver and gold in world, Asian and national championships, has never before had one of his charges test positive for drugs. "Zhang is a good coach, but the State Sports Commission's regulations can't be violated ... But let's not jump to conclusions until the investigation has been completed," Xie Yalong, director of China's Track and Field Association, was quoted in the Liaoshen Evening News as saying. In July, Chinese swimming star Wu Yanyan was given a four year ban. Wu, world record holder in the women's 200 meter individual medley, tested positive for an anabolic steroid at China's May Olympic trials.
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