Chinese swimmer banned for four years

The Chinese swimmer, Yuan Yuan, caught with prohibited drugs before the World Swimming Championships in Australia, has been banned from competition for four years.

The international swimming body, FINA, said her coach, Zhou Zewen, was barred for fifteen years from his occupation after he admitted putting growth hormone drugs in her luggage.

FINA said drugs tests on four other members of the Chinese swiming team were positive and they Luna Wang, Cai Huijue, Zhang Yi, and Wang Weiwere temporarily banned until the results of a second test were known.

The Australian government had pressed FINA for firm action over the affair.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service