Top Czech weightlifter faces two-year doping ban

Czech weightlifter Jiri Orsag faces a two-year suspension for a positive doping test, said Czech weightlifting association head Petr Krol Friday.

Orsag, 24, tested positive for banned substance tamoxifen on two occasions while he was at a training camp in August and September. Tamoxifen, a drug that interrupts the hormone estrogen, is commonly used by athletes as part of a post-cycle treatment to combat the side effects of steroids, reports Xinhua.

Orsag said that he does not know how the drug got in his body.

Krol said he hopes the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) will decide on Orsag's case during the world championships that will start in Wroclaw, Poland Oct 20.

"An athlete is responsible for his body... The rules are clearly set, he will not avoid punishment," he said. Krol also said he expected an investigation of the case to be launched. "I believe it is not a failure of the system but a mistake of an individual."

The ban will leave Orsag out of the World Championships.

Orsag said he would not comment on his case until an official verdict is issued. He said he would like to continue his weightlifting career after the possible punishment expires.

Orsag is the best weightlifter in Czech Republic, winning five medals at European championships since 2011.