Chinese, Polish and Bulgarian athletes sanctioned for doping

It also reiterates its resolute disapproval of banned substances.

Chen’s case was heard by CAS on Thursday night, with the swimmer accepting a “provisional suspension on a voluntary basis”, meaning she would be prohibited from taking any further part at Rio.

Diuretics can be used as “masking agents” to hide the presence of performance-enhancing substances that are screened during doping tests.

The Chinese Swimming Association said Chen Xinyi tested positive for the substance without providing specifics.

The CSA has required Chen to cooperate with the investigation, Xinhua said.

“The CSA has taken this matter seriously and demanded full cooperation from Chen in the investigation”, the association said in the statement, quoted by Xinhua. Others went back to Horton’s comments against Sun, but many pointed out that Chen testing positive for the banned drug “has nothing to do with Sun Yang, and Horton will still be his bitch in the 1500m”.

Chen’s result comes as doping has been a major concern in the Rio Games.

This is just the latest instalment in the ongoing saga of professional doping at Rio 2016, with Russian Federation dominating the pre-games headlines after revelations of state-sponsored doping across numerous sports. CAS said her case will continue, with a final decision to be issued before the end of the games.

Polish weightlifter Tomasz Zielinski, a European champion, was sent home by the team earlier this week after failing a test for the steroid nandrolone and he is now officially ineligible to compete.

The Bulgarian came 14th at the world championships in Moscow in 2013 but was not among medal contenders in Rio.

The 3,000m steeplechase athlete, who was due to run tonight, denied wrongdoing, saying: “I am not guilty, I have done nothing wrong”. Four tests were done, three of them were negative.

Bulgaria’s Danekova, meanwhile, has claimed to be “shocked” after her positive test for EPO soon after her arrival in Brazil.