Spanish athlete tests positive for doping

Spanish cyclist Maria Isobel Moreno, 27, became the first athlete to test positive for doping at the Beijing Games.

According to Xinhua, Moreno tested positive for the blood-boosting hormone EPO or erythropoietin at the Olympic Village on July 31. Moreno was entered for individual time trial.

Moreno left the same day as the test, without waiting for the results to be released.

Under new rules, Moreno could be banned from participating in the next Olympics in London.

The Beijing Games is the first Olympics where athletes have to inform officials where they are staying, residing and training during the doping control period from July 27 to August 24.

The International Olympic Committee has promised to keep the Beijing Games a “clean” one. According to Xinhua, IOC director of communications Giselle Davies said that around 1,500 tests covered urine and blood samples and during pre- and post-competition.

A record 4,500 tests are being planned through the Olympic period.

Top five finishers in individual events will be tested while random and target testing will be ised to catch athletes using illegal substances.

A new test kit which tracks traces of human growth hormone was also introduced for the Beijing Olympics.