Ukrainian heptathlete Lyudmila Blonska was given a lifetime ban after testing positive for an anabolic steroid at the Olympic Games.

Blonska, 30, who was stripped of the heptathlon silver medal after finishing behind compatriot Nataliia Dobrynska in Beijing, tested positive for methyltestosterone on Aug. 17.

The Ukrainian athletics federation (UAF) said that Blonska was given the stiffest punishment because it was her second doping offence. Blonska's coach and husband Serhiy Blonsky also received a life ban.

Blonska was stripped of her medal and kicked out of the Beijing Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC also asked the International Association of Athletics Federations and the Ukrainian national association to impose any further sanctions.

Blonska was also removed from the long jump final in Beijing for which she had qualified.

She first served a two-year doping ban after testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol in 2003. She returned to competition in July 2005.

The heptathlon silver medal went to Hyleas Fountain of the US, who was moved up to second, with Russian Tatiana Chernova climbing into the bronze medal position.

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