( dpa ) - Turkish middle-distance runner Sureyya Ayhan received a life ban from the Turkish Athletic Federation Friday for a second doping violation.
The former European 1,500-metre champion tested positive for an unnamed banned substance last September while training in the United States ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Ayhan's coach and husband, Yucel Kop, was given a two-year ban. Both have said they will appeal the decision. Ayhan's first doping ban came in 2005, when she was barred from competing for two years.
As well as her 2002 European title, Ayhan also won silver at the 2003 World Championships in Paris.