Galery

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The Bulgarian Federation of Weightlifting is in a process of falling apart. The Bulgarian Ministry of Sport asked the federation close because it undermines the name and prestige of Bulgaria in a sport in which the country has a tradition. In August 2008 the doping control tests of 11 Bulgarian weightlifters, who were preparing themselves for the Olympic Games, came out positive. Two of them - weightlifters Alan Tsagaev and Georgi Markov were punished with perpetual exclusion from the World Federation of weightlifting, and the remaining six - 6 men and 3 women were banned for 4 years. The Bulgarian federation was fined with $465 000. The presence of doping in the samples of the Bulgarian weightlifters was the reason why Bulgaria was not presented during the Olympic Games in Beijing. 

Along with disgracing Bulgaria another reason for the decision of the Ministry of Sports to close the Bulgarian Federation of Weightlifting is because it found out about an improper use of budget money from the federation. Precise amount is still not clear, but according to the media about €500 000 (BGN 1 000 000) were misused. 

A new weightlifting organization is being created and president of it will be Georgi Ivanov, a former weightlifter. 

Doping is not a problem for weightlifters only in Bulgaria, but also in Greece. Recently, a new positive sample was found in athlete, who participated in the Greek championship for men, women, boys and girls, which was held in Litohoro.