Taiwan’s Lin Tzu-chi. AFP FILE PHOTO
Taiwan’s former weightlifting world record holder Lin Tzu-chi was suspended from competing Tuesday in the Rio Olympics after failing a dope test, the island’s delegation confirmed Wednesday.
After Lin’s withdrawal, Chinese weightlifter Deng Wei took gold in the women’s 63kg category, breaking Lin’s combined world record with a total of 262kg.
The Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee said in a statement that a routine dope test of Lin “detected abnormal reaction.”
They then temporarily suspended Lin from competing “to ensure spirit of fair competition of the sport” according to World Anti-Doping Agency rules, added the statement.
The 28-year-old was one of the favorites for gold after raising the world record to 261kg in winning the 2014 Asian Games gold in Incheon, South Korea.
Lin violated anti-doping rules before, missing the London 2012 Games after failing a test in 2010 and being suspended for two years.
Head of Taiwan’s delegation Steven Chen apologized for the incident in Rio, according to Taiwan media reports.
“I take full responsibility for a failure to win a medal in the weightlifting event,” he was quoted as saying by the Focus Taiwan News Channel website.
“We disappointed everyone in Taiwan.”
Women’s weightlifting has been a strength for Taiwan, with Hsu Shu-ching winning gold in the women’s 53kg on Monday. Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz placed second in that contest.
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