Russian rowers Anastasia Fatina and Anastasia Karabelshchikova have been banned by the International Rowing Federation (FISA) for doping offences.

The pair, members of the 2007 Russian women's eight, will serve two-year bans starting retroactively from August 27th last year.

"The athletes were identified through DNA analysis as having intravenously infused substances for a non-legitimate acute medical reason," a statement said.

FISA said incriminating evidence was found in a plastic bag in a rubbish bin outside the Russian team's hotel in Lucerne, the day after the Rowing World Cup final last year.

DNA evidence from eight rowers was recovered from the blood on the medical equipment with six of them already having been sanctioned. Fatina and Karabelshchikova are the remaining two rowers linked to the Lucerne discovery.

Matt Smith, FISA's executive director, said: "These are the last two athletes identified by DNA analysis to have used the material found in Lucerne last July.

"In order to respect the rights of the athletes, FISA's policy is to carry out all investigations fully before it releases any information about its possible doping cases.

"This explains why it took several months before all eight athletes were identified, heard and sanctioned."

Last month, the governing body banned all officials of the Russian Rowing Federation from participating in any FISA activities for one year and further disciplinary action is being considered.

Reuters