6 Aug 2013

Turkey bans 31 athletes for doping

7:53 am on 6 August 2013

The Turkish Athletics Federation has given two-year suspensions to 31 athletes for drug offences, including Olympic medallist Esref Apak.

Hammer thrower Apak, who won silver in Athens in 2004, was one of three athletes listed who competed at the 2012 London Olympics.

Turkey's doping problems threaten to affect Istanbul's bid to host the 2020 Olympics.

The bans were expected after the IAAF carried out tests before and during the Mediterranean Games in the Turkish city of Mersin in June.