Rio 2016: Silvia Danekova Tests Positive for EPO

Bulgarian athlete Silvia Danekova has tested positive for banned blood booster EPO at the Rio Olympics.

Silvia Danekova, 33, tested positive in a doping control conducted a few days after her arrival in Brazil on July 26.

Photo Reuters

The 3,000m steeplechase athlete has been temporarily suspended pending the test of her B sample.

“Unfortunately, we have a positive test,” confirmed the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, whose weightlifting team was banned from the Games for doping.

Silvia Danekova raced in the 3,000m steeplechase at the London Olympics in 2012 but did not get beyond the heats.

The athletics program at the Rio Olympics will begin on August 12.