Russian biathletes banned for doping offence

MOSCOW, Aug. 12 -- Biathlon world champions Albina Akhatova,

Ekaterina Iourieva and Dmitri Yaroshenko have each received a two-year ban for

doping offence, the International Biathlon Union (IBU) confirmed.

The three Russians tested positive for the blood-booster EPO in a World Cup

event held in Ostersund, Sweden last December, the sport's governing body said

in a statement on Wednesday.

All three have been leading athletes in their sport, Akhatova winning the

Olympic relay gold in 2006 and three world titles. Yaroshenko is a two-time

world champion and Iourieva is also a world champion.