Sotherton welcomes lifetime ban on Blonska and loss of silver for steroids

Blonska, 30, was given a two-year ban in 2003 after testing positive for steroids and now faces a lifetime ban.  

After Blonska's silver medal Britain's Kelly Sotherton, who finished fifth in the event, called for a worldwide policy to prevent drug cheats from returning to compete in the Olympics.  

Lost medal: Liudmyla Blonska of Ukraine (left), who has been stripped of her heptathlon silver medal, stands on the rostrum alongside gold medallist Nataliia Dobrynska of Ukraine and bronze medallist Hyleas Fountain of the US

After hearing the news of Blonska being stripped of her medal, Sotherton said: 'It's great news, even if it's quite negative.  

'It's great news for my event and the other girls, especially as there was a medal on the line and hopefully that's the last of her. I won't have to talk about her again or compete against her again.'

The International Olympic Committee today announced she has been disqualified and kicked out of the Beijing Games, and they and may also take action against her coach.

'The IOC reserves the right to take sanctions or measures in relation to the athlete's coach, Sergii Blonskyi,' the IOC said in a statement.  

Sotherton: pleased

Blonska tested positive for methyltestosterone after finishing second in the heptathlon last Saturday.  

The USA's Hyleas Fountain now moves up to silver, Russia's Tatiana Chernova gets bronze, and Sotherton's official finishing position is fourth.  

Sotherton said early this week: 'I'm not happy she competed again. We have rules in our country that we abide by. We don't bring anybody who cheated previously, so why should any other country?  

'I'd have been really upset if she'd won gold. The penalty you should pay if you take drugs is not to compete at the Olympics.'