CAS bans Turkish 1,500-meter runner Sureyya Ayhan for life after 2nd doping offense

Turkish runner Ayhan gets lifetime ban for doping

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Former European 1,500-meter champion Sureyya Ayhan has been banned for life after a second doping offense.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected her appeal Wednesday against a four-year ban imposed by Turkish authorities after she tested positive for steroids while training in the United States in 2007.

The governing body of athletics, the IAAF, also appealed and asked the court to ban the 31-year-old for life.

She previously served a two-year suspension for refusing to take a drug test before the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Ayhan won her European title in 2002 and finished second at the 2003 world championships.