Nine athletes suspended from Olympics for doping offences

The world athletics governing body has suspended nine athletes ahead of the Olympic Games for doping offences. According to Sky News, nine track and field athletes have been suspended for doping offences.

Among them are three who were caught in re-tests of samples from last year's world championships.

The sport's governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), said six were caught in biological passport tests, which measure changes in an athlete's blood profile.

Eight of the athletes have received two-year suspensions and one has been banned for four years.

IAAF President Lamine Diack said that the announcement shows that authorities will "do everything in our power to eradicate cheating"