Bulgarians banned from Rio Olympics

HOUSTON, Texas: Bulgaria will not be allowed to compete in weightlifting at next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics after 11 lifters tested positive for doping earlier this year, the International Weightlifting Federation said Thursday.
The global sports governing body’s executive board, meeting in Houston for two days prior to the world championships, concluded its gathering with a report that included the ban on Bulgaria at Rio.
“Bulgaria is not eligible to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games,” a federation statement said.
The Bulgarians withdrew from the European championships earlier this year after testing positive for steroids.