Russian biathlete Olga Pyleva has been banned from competition for two years following her failed dope test at the Winter Olympics, The International Biathlon Union (IBU) said.

Pyleva, the silver medallist in the biathlon 15km, was stripped of her medal and expelled from the Olympics by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday.

The Russian's medical advisor, Nina Vinogradova, was also banned for two years from biathlon activities.

"She had a 45-minute hearing in front of the disciplinary commission on Friday and presented the same defence as on the previous day," said IBU secretary-general Michael Geistlinger on Friday.

Pyleva claimed she had taken the drug in medication for a foot injury and did not know that the ingredients included the banned stimulant carphedon.

But a three-strong IOC disciplinary commission found her guilty under the strict anti-doping liability law.

The two-year ban is effective from February 13, the day of the 15km race at the Winter Olympics and will run until February 12, 2008.

Russian team officials had earlier announced that Pyleva was flying home on Friday.

Despite Italy's strict anti-doping laws, which treats athletes who take banned drugs as criminals, Pyleva has not been quizzed by Italian prosecutors.

Officials said it could take two weeks before the 'Pyleva file' has been fully studied.

An IOC spokesman confirmed that the dossier had been handed over to Italian authorities.
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(CRI February 19, 2006)