Olympics: Syrian hurdler Ghfran Almouhamad expelled for doping

A Syrian athlete has been expelled from the London Olympics after testing positive for a banned substance, taking to 11 the number of athletes thrown out since the start of the Olympic period on July 16, Reuters reported.

The news took the gloss off the penultimate day of the games, which saw Usain Bolt lead Jamaica to a gold medal and new world record in the 4 x 100 meter relay, while Mexico scored a historic victory over Brazil in the football final.

Ghfran Almouhamad, 23, competed in the women’s 400 meters hurdles event, the Associated Press reported.

She finished eighth in the second heat of the first round on August 5.

The International Olympic Committee said a sample taken from Almouhamad on August 3 tested positive to methylhexaneamine, a substance found in nutritional supplements and nasal sprays.

The BBC said an analysis of the B sample confirmed the A sample.

"The International Association of Athletics Federations is requested to modify the results of the above-mentioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence," the IOC said.

Almouhamad, one of four women in the 10-strong Syrian team, faces a maximum two-year ban as a first offender, Reuters said.

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