The International Olympic Committee has formally excluded Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku from the London Olympics after he failed a doping test.
- London Olympics 2012 - Complete coverage
The IOC said Saturday that Pulaku tested positive for a banned steroid, stanozolol, on July 23. It said a backup 'B' sample confirmed the result.
The announcement came a day after Albania dropped the 19-year-old from its weightlifting team over doping suspicions. He was supposed to have competed in the 77-kilogram category.
Two Turkish lifters were also dropped by their federation at the last minute after failing doping tests.
The weightlifting competition begins Saturday with the women's 48-kilogram category.
PHOTOS: LONDON 2012 FLAG BEARERS
Men's archery team knocked out of Olympics
Disappointing start for Jwala-Diju in Olympic opener
In PHOTOS: Michelle Obama in a tug of war in London
London Olympics: Photos of the day