16 Aug 2012

US cyclist banned from Paralympics

8:46 am on 16 August 2012

A Paralympic athlete has been thrown out of the London Games, just under two weeks before the opening ceremony.

The 42 year old US cyclist Monica Bascio has tested positive after taking an over-the-counter medication during a World Cup event in Italy in May which contained a prohibited substance.

But Bascio has been given a reduced ban of only three months as there was no intent to enhance sport performance.