Two Central Asian Athletes Banned From Olympics

The Kyrgyz athlete was banned for two years (RFE/RL) 4 January 2006 -- Two Central Asian athletes will be missing out on next month's Winter Olympics in Turin after receiving bans for doping today.

Kazakh speed skater Anzhelka Gavrilova was banned for one year and Kyrgyz biathlon competitor Jamilya Turarbek Kyzy was banned for two years.

The International Skating Union said in Switzerland that Gavrilova tested positive for clenbuterol, a prohibited substance that promotes muscle growth.

The International Biathlon Union said in a statement that Turarbek Kyzy tested positive for furosemide in October.

Furosemide is a masking agent and on the World Doping Agency's list of banned substances.

(AP)