London: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that weightlifter Hysen Pulaku from Albania has been excluded from the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London.

Hysen Pulaku, 20, tested positive on 23 July for stanozolol.

The IOC Disciplinary Commission, composed for this case of Thomas Bach (Chairman), Denis Oswald and Frank Fredericks, decided the following:

I.          The athlete Mr Hysen Pulaku, Albania, Weightlifting:

(i)         is excluded from the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London in 2012;

(ii)        shall have his Olympic identity and accreditation card immediately cancelled and withdrawn.

II.          The athlete’s file shall be transmitted to the International Weightlifting Federation, which is requested to consider any further action within its own competence.

III.         The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency shall also receive information in relation to this matter, in order to further investigate the circumstances surrounding this case within the remit of its competence, for it to follow up accordingly.

IV.        The NOC of Albania and LOCOG shall ensure the full implementation of this decision.

V.         This decision shall enter into force immediately.

Under the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the 2012 London Olympic Games, testing takes place under the IOC's auspices from 16 July (date of the opening of the Olympic Village) to 12 August 2012. Within that period, the IOC systematically performs tests before and after events. After each event, the IOC systematically carries out tests on the top five finishers plus two at random. The IOC also performs out-of-competition unannounced tests. Over the course of the London Games, the IOC is expected to carry out some 5,000 tests - 3,800 urine and 1,200 blood.