Magharebia

An official at the Moroccan Federation of Athletics confirmed that runner Amine Laalou was banned from the 1500m race the London Olympics for doping. According to L'Equipe, Laalou tested positive July 20th in Monaco for furosemide. The same banned substance caused the elimination last month of Moroccan 1500m runner Mariem Alaoui Selsouli.

Laalou, a silver medallist in the 2010 African Championships, had been due to compete in Friday evening's 1500m heats.

Moroccan Minister of Sport Mohamed Ouzine told AFP: "If this doping case is confirmed, then it is a catastrophe." Noting that Morocco has been waging a campaign to ensure that sport stays clean, Ouzine promised "a strong reaction".