Taiwan's former weightlifting world record holder Lin Tzu-chi was suspended from competing on 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.”
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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 favourites 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.
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Head of Taiwan's delegation Steven Chen apologised 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.