ATHENS, April 5: Two Greek women athletes have failed drugs tests, the Greek athletics federation (SEGAS) has announced.

Maria Tsirba failed two controls for the banned substance ephedrine at last month’s World Indoor Championships in Birmingham while Angeliki Makri tested positive for caffeine during a meet held on March 16 in Greece, SEGAS reported.

Tsirba, eighth in the 3,000 meters final in Birmingham breaking the Greek record in the process, failed tests on March 12 and March 15. Tsirba is to return from training in Cyprus to provide an explanation.

Third in the European Cup last year Tsirba faces a two-year suspension and being stripped of her national record. Makri has been summoned back from Bulgaria where she is competing in the Balkan Indoor Championships. If she fails a second test she faces a sanction too.—Reuters