ANKARA, June 14: Turkish weightlifting champion Nurcan Taylan has been banned for four years for doping and will miss the London Olympics.

The Olympic, world and six-time European champion tested positive for an undisclosed banned substance in October.The Turkish Weightlifting Federation on Thursday confirmed the ban imposed by the International Weightlifting Federation.

Taylan’s lawyer, Erkan Kucukgungor, told the state-run Anadolu Agency that his 28-year-old client had initially feared a lifetime ban but is now hoping the suspension might be shortened on appeal.

Taylan won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics. She set a world record in the 48-kilogram clean and jerk at the 2010 world championships.—AP