Weightlifting-Bulgarian federation stripped of licence

Bulgaria's sports ministry has stripped the country's weightlifting federation of its licence because of recent doping and financial problems.

The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday the federation had undermined the prestige of Bulgarian sport.       

Bulgaria withdrew its team before the start of the 2008 Olympics when 11 members failed doping tests.                                           

The country also missed the recent world championships because of financial problems and the ministry accused the federation of mismanaging funds.                                           

The decision to revoke the licence was taken two weeks after the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) expressed concern that the 2010 junior world championships, due to be held in Bulgaria, could be in jeopardy because of "internal difficulties".      

Twenty-three weightlifting clubs have formed an alternative federation which will apply for a licence from the sports ministry and the IWF.