Rio Paralympics: Saudi power-lifter gets 8-year drugs ban

Saudi Arabian power-lifter Mashal Alkhazai has been suspended for eight years following the second positive drugs test of his career.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 36-year-old failed an out-of-competition test at the Paralympics Games in Rio.

The International Paralympics Committee announced on Monday he was no longer eligible to compete in the +107kg class slated for Wednesday.

The IPC said he had tested positive for the steroid metenolone.

He will now not be eligible to compete until September 12, 2024.

The IPC also announced that Felipe Veloso da Silva, a Brazilian guide runner for T11 athlete Thalita Simplicio da Silva, has received a back-dated three-month suspension.

(NAN)