Russia steeplechase champion Ivanova banned for doping

MOSCOW, Dec 23 (Reuters) Russian steeplechase champion Lyubov Ivanova has been banned for two years for doping, Russia's athletics chief today said.

Valentin Balakhnichyov, president of the Russian athletics federation, said Ivanova had tested positive for an unspecified steroid at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart in September.

''She was tested at the European championships in Gothenburg in August and came out clean but one month later she was tested again and this time she failed the test,'' Balakhnichyov was quoted as saying by the news agency All Sport.

''It all looks a bit strange, but nevertheless we've banned her for two years. This should be a good lesson for everyone.'' Balakhnichyov said that in total nine Russian athletes had failed drugs tests this year. ''We have doubled the number of tests this year compared to 2005, but only had nine positives compared to 23 last year,'' he added.

Ivanova, 25, was the 2003 European 3,000 metres steeplechase junior champion and finished fourth over the same distance at this year's European championships in Gothenburg.

REUTERS SY RN2331