The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) President Tamas Ajan confirmed that the B sample results of China's woman weightlifter Shang Shichun, who failed the A sample drug test in last year's Vancouver world championships, was also positive and her appeal had been rejected by the IWF.  

Ajan told Xinhua in a mail that Shang's B sample confirmed the results of the A sample and the IWF Hearing Commission denied the appeal.

"In 99 percent the results of the B analyses confirm those of the A samples. Still, the competitors or their federation have the right to ask for the analysis of the B sample. That's what happened in Ms. Shang's case," he said.

"The hearing took place at the end of March, in Germany, in front of the IWF Hearing Commission ... The hearing committee rejected the appeal."

A delegation of four members attended the hearing from the Chinese side but Shang personally was not among them, according to the mail.

The IWF said in February that 11 competitors from 10 nations had tested positive for drugs at the world championships, including Shang, who broke three world records on the way to gold in the women's 75kg category. Shang insisted that she was innocent and appealed against the doping charge.

There is reporting in China that the Chinese Weightlifting Association (CWA) has banned her for two years, but no official response from the CWA yet. The suspensions are normally for two years, except for repeat offenders.

The next stage for Shang's further appeal is the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2004)