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OLYMPICS

Klüft: Blonska deserves life ban

Swedish athletics star Carolina Klüft said on Friday she hoped Ukrainian heptathlete Lyudmila Blonska would face a life ban after failing a dope test at the Beijing Olympics.

Klüft, the 2004 Olympic heptathlon champion and who edged out Blonska to win the world title last year, added that she hadn’t had the Ukrainian on her mind during the long jump final in which the Swede finished ninth.

Blonska, who was removed from the long jump final, failed a dope test for the second time in her career this week after taking the silver medal in the heptathlon and faces a life ban.

“I didn’t think about her (Blonska) at all today. She didn’t deserve to be in my thoughts,” said Klüft, who is for zero tolerance when it comes to drugs cheats.

“I am just glad she she was caught and should be thrown out of the sport forever.

“I’m out there for fun, trying to improve and I am just glad they caught the cheaters.”

British heptathlon star Kelly Sotherton – who last year at the worlds called Blonska a cheat after the Briton finished in bronze medal position – echoed Klüft’s sentiments.

“It’s about time for the event, for the sport. She (Blonska) should have a life ban for that,” commented Sotherton after she had run in the 4x400m relay.

AFP/The Local