China Triathlon Association will give a thorough investigation into Asian champion Wang Hongni's doping case, said a Chinese anti-doping official on Thursday in Beijing.

 

The official from Chinese Olympic Committee Anti-Doping Commission said before they mete out any punishment, thorough investigation is necessary.

 

Wang was found using exogenous metabolites of testosterone in her out-of-competition test on August 24 this year.

 

The International Triathlon Union Tuesday gave the 24-year-old a two year ban lasting until October 5, 2009 after her B sample confirmed the positive result.

 

"The China Triathlon Association needs to find out who has been involved in the case and why they did so," said the official who asked not to be named.

 

"Once they confirm the responsible people, they will not hesitate to punish them according to China's Anti-Doping Regulations," said the official.

 

The Regulations, coming into force as of March 1, 2004, states that athlete support personnel such as coaches, team leaders, medical and paramedical personnel will receive punishment like suspension if they are found to provide banned substance or methods to athletes.

 

"In addition, we should draw experience from this incident to improve our doping control," the official added.

 

Wang, last year's Doha Asian Games triathlon winner, will miss the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2007)