IOC sanctions six sportspersons for failing dope tests at 2008 Games

Geneva, Aug 31 (IANS) The International Olympic Committee has sanctioned six athletes for failing doping tests at the Beijing Games in 2008, it was announced on Wednesday.

They included three Russian medallists -- weighlifters Nadezda Evstyukhina and Marina Shainova, and Tatyana Firova, who finished second with teammates in the 4x400m event. Evstyukhina won a bronze medal in the Beijing Games, while Shainova won silver, reports Xinhua.

Bronze medal-winning weighlighter Tigran Martirosyan of Armenia and fellow weighlifters Alexandru Dudoglo of Moldova and Intigam Zairov of Azerbaijan were also disqualified, the IOC said in a statement.