Ukraine's heptathlon silver medallist Liudmyla Blonska has failed a drugs test, the IOC confirmed as the first high-profile doping failure hit the Beijing Olympics on the 13th day.

The 30-year-old had failed her A sample and the result of the B sample would be known Thursday. Blonska faced a lifetime ban if both samples prove positive after serving a previous suspension for taking stanozolol, the anabolic steriod used by disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson.

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"There has been an adverse finding in her A sample against her (Blonska)," and IOC source told AFP.

International Athletics Federation president Lamine Diack confirmed an investigation was underway. "The procedure is running. The B-sample will no doubt be opened today and a decision taken tomorrow."

If confirmed, Blonska would be the fifth athlete to test positive, although the previous four only involved one podium finisher – North Korean shooter Kim Jong-Su, a minor medallist. – (Sapa, August 2008)
 

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