The Slovenian Athletics Federation upheld a two-year ban against Jolanda Ceplak, world record holder for the indoor 800 metres, after she tested positive for EPO in June 2007.

In November last year the Slovenian Anti-Doping Commission originally confirmed the ban, which was imposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations from July 25 of that year.

The case was then handed over to AZS's disciplinary commission.

"The decision was a very difficult one," commission president Slavko Crne said after a seven-and-a-half-hour hearing.

"[But] in our opinion Jolanda Ceplak is guilty of taking EPO."

He added that there was no evidence to suggest that there had been any procedural errors.

"We wish for Slovenian athletics that the outcome was different, but we did not have evidence to prove it is so," he said.

Ceplak, 30, who won the bronze medal for 800 metres in the Athens Olympics behind Kelly Holmes, had tested positive for EPO at a test at her home in Monte Carlo on June 18, 2007.

The athlete, who did not attend the hearing, is banned until July 2009.

AFP