Spanish cyclist out of Games over drug

Spanish cyclist Janet Puiggros Miranda has been dropped from the national Olympic team after a positive drugs test.

Spanish cyclist Janet Puiggros Miranda has been dropped from the national Olympic team after a positive drugs test, the Spanish Cycling Federation said on Wednesday.

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The Federation said Puiggros Miranda was tested at the Spanish mountain bike championship in Candanchu on July 17 and found to have erythropoietin, also known as EPO, in her system.

"After notifying the affected party, who waived the right to a 'B' test, the Federation informed the Spanish Olympic Committee that the rider would no longer be participating at Athens," the Federation said in a statement.

"The Federation will now begin proceedings to deal with the case."

Puiggros Miranda is the second Spanish athlete in two days to have been forced to drop out of the Games after testing positive for EPO, a banned blood-boosting substance associated with improved performance in endurance events.

Canoeist Jovino Gonzalez was dropped on Monday after failing a surprise pre-Olympic drug test.