IOC revokes London Olympics medal from Uzbek wrestler

LAUSANNE - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped a London Games bronze medal from an Uzbekistani wrestler Soslan Tigiev because of a doping violation on Wednesday.  

The IOC disqualified Soslan Tigiev, who tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine on August 10 after winning on points in one of the two bronze-medal matches from the 74-kilogram freestyle class.  

"The NOC (national Olympic committee) of Uzbekistan is ordered to return to the IOC, as soon as possible, the medal, diploma and medalist pin awarded to the athlete," the IOC said in its ruling.

The IOC said Tigiev's opponent, Gabor Hatos of Hungary, will be upgraded to bronze.  

Tigiev becomes the second athlete from the London Olympics to be stripped of a medal because of a doping violation.  

Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus had her gold in the women's shot put revoked by the IOC the day after the closing ceremony. She tested positive for the steroid metenolone.  

Wrestling's governing body, known by its French initials FILA, has been asked to "modify the results" of the London event and " consider any further action," the IOC said.  

Tigiev faces being suspended for a period ranging from several months to two years.

The 29-year-old wrestler, who also won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the same class, can challenge any sanction at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.