Asian Games 2014: Tajik footballer Khurshed Beknazarov fails drug test

Khurshed Beknazarov

Incheon, Sep 24 (IANS) Tajikistan footballer Khurshed Beknazarov became the first athlete in the 17th Asian Games to be banned for failing a drug test Wednesday.

Beknazarov tested positive for a banned stimulant, after his urine sample was collected Sep 14, according to the official Games website. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) noted that this was the first case of drug violation in this year's Asiad.

OCA said the Beknazarov's drug reports will be forwarded to authorities of Tajikistan and also to FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation and the World Anti-Doping Agency for further potential sanctions.

Before the start of the Asiad, the organisers said they would carry out 1,920 drug tests, a record for an Asiad - an increase from 1,500 tests in 2010.

They said there will be 1,621 in-competition tests and 299 surprise, out-of-competition tests.