Alleged Olympics doper, Maria Isabel Moreno, booted from Beijing

Spanish cyclist Maria Isabel Moreno has become the first Olympian to be kicked out of the Beijing Games for alleged doping.

The 27-year-old cyclist was scheduled to compete in the women's road race and individual time trial. Moreno tested positive July 31 for EPO, a blood-boosting hormone, and left China the same day, according to the International Olympic Committee.

Associated Press reports that Eugenio Bermudez, secretary general of the Spanish cycling federation, said that Moreno’s backup “B” sample was tested Sunday night.

The IOC has said -- several times -- that it has dramatically boosted the number of doping tests to be administered during the Beijing Games. A record 4,500 doping samples -- including surprise, out-of-competition tests -- are to be conducted.

“The IOC means business in stamping out those who are not playing by the rules,” IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies told the AP.

Spanish officials called on Moreno to cooperate with authorities and tell them who supplied her with the banned drug.

A Spanish cycling federation official who accompanied Moreno to the drug test in the Olympic village told AP that she emerged from the test crying and asked to return to Spain immediately, even before the results were announced.

-- Greg Johnson

Photo: Spain's Minister of Sports, Jaime Lissavetzky, reacts during a Monday news conference in Beijing after Spanish cyclist Maria Isabel Moreno became the first athlete to fail a doping test at the Beijing Games. Credit: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images