Bulgarian middle distance runner Teodora Kolarova has been banned for two years for doping, the Bulgarian athletics federation has announced.

The 26-year-old Kolarova tested positive for testosterone or its precursors on June 26 but denies using banned substances.

"I feel sorry for Kolarova but according to all the experts her case is irrefutable and the Bulgarian federation had no choice but to ban her," the Balkan country's federation president Dobri Karamarinov said.

Kolarova, who finished sixth in the 800 metres at the 2006 European championship in Gothenburg, gave a positive sample at an International Association of Athletics Federations out-of-competition doping control test in Sofia.

Bulgarian athletics has been marred by a series of doping offences in recent months with Kolarova becoming the third female athlete to test positive this year.

High jumper Venelina Veneva and Vanya Stambolova, who competed in the 400 metres and 400 hurdles, tested positive for testosterone or its precursors in January.

However, the Bulgarian federation decided in July to clear the two athletes of doping violations, saying the analysis by the World Anti-Doping Agency's accredited laboratory in Lausanne was not correct.

"My case is just the same as Vanya and Venelina but this time the Bulgarian federation decided to act in a different way," a shocked Kolarova told Bulgarian Darik radio.

The IAAF has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the Bulgarian federation's decision to clear Veneva and Stambolova with the outcome expected next month.

"I will wait for CAS's verdict on the two girls to see if I could go the same way... I categorically deny using any banned substances", added Kolarova.

Bulgarian hammer thrower Andrian Andreev was also banned for two years in January after testing positive for an unspecified steroid.

Reuters