Five Russian Olympians suspended in doping scandal

Five Russian athletes have been banned from competing in Beijing after they were found to have tampered with doping tests. Yelena Soboleva, the world indoor 1500 metre record holder, and four other sportswomen were suspended following a year-long investig

Seven athletes in all, of which five were hoping to represent their country in the Olympics, have been provisionally suspended by the sport's governing body. The International Association of Athletics Federations says the womens’ tests, taken in 2007 and 2008, do not match.

The IAAF says the Russians will now face an official investigation and remain disqualified until the end of proceedings.

The scandal has cast a cloud over the Russian team just ahead of the Beijing games which are due to begin next week.