PRAGUE (AP) — Czech shot putter Remigius Machura has been banned for two years for doping.
The disciplinary committee of the Czech athletics federation issued the ban Thursday, saying Machura tested positive for a growth hormone in an out-of-competition test in July.
The ban ends Aug. 11, 2012, meaning he will miss the London Olympics.
The 24-year-old Machura denied any wrongdoing.
He is the 2005 European youth champion and competed at the European Championship in Barcelona in July but didn’t qualify for the final.
