Floyd Landis Loses Appeal Over Tour de France Doping Case

American cyclist Floyd Landis has lost his last resort appeal to retain his 2006 Tour de France title after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled his positive doping test from the race was valid.

The Swiss court's three-member panel announced its verdict Monday, dismissing Landis's appeal of a two-year ban for a positive result for synthetic testosterone. The court panel deliberated the case for three months following a hearing in New York.

Sports' highest court confirmed that Landis is suspended until January 29, 2009. He was also ordered to pay $100,000 toward the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's expenses to fight the case.

Landis said he is "saddened" by the decision and is looking into his legal options and deciding on the best way to proceed.

Landis tested positive for testosterone after winning the 17th stage of the 2006 Tour de France with an incredible breakaway through the Alps. The American rider is the first to be stripped of the Tour de France title for a doping violation.

This news has been published in Voanews.com

Bulgaria Withdraws Men & Women's Weighlifting Team From Beijing Olympics

Bulgaria is pulling off both their men and women's weightlifting team from this year Beijing Olympics after all the 11 athletes of Bulgaria were tested positive for an anabolic steroid substance. - Bulgaria's weightlifting federation announced Friday.

8 men and 3 women were tested positive for metandienon, a banned anabolic steroid. The tests were conducted on June 8 and 9 at Asenovgrad, Bulgaria.

"As a result, the Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation took a decision to withdraw its national weightlifting teams -- men and women -- from participation in the Olympics," the statement added.

Among these athletes was Ivan Stoitsov, 77-kilogram category 2007 world champion. The 2004 Olympics bronze medalist in the 105-kilo class, Velichko Cholakov, was also among the compromised athletes.