Egypt weightlifters out of World Championships owing to a two-year doping ban

Egyptian weightlifters have been barred from the world championships which began in Thailand on Wednesday following a two-year doping ban starting on 12th September was announced by the International Weightlifting Federation.

The Egyptian federation "has 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)", said the IWF in a statement sent to AFP. 

"The IWF will not make further comment until this period ends," said the statement.

The suspension follows a series of seven positive doping tests for young weightlifters in 2016. Under IWF rules, any federation with at least three positive controls over a one-year period faces a two-year suspension.

If CAS upholds the ruling, Egypt could also be barred from competing at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They have been a stronghold for weightlifting over the years, yielding 11 medals, including five gold, out of a total of 31 medals won in the country's 22 Olympic participations.

Egypt earned two bronze medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, thanks to Mohamed Ihab Mahmoud (-77 kg) and Sara Ahmed in the women's (-69 kg). The suspension will turn out to be a big blow for the country’s medal hopes.