Turkey's Middle Distance Runner Sureyya Ayhan's Lifetime Ban Reduced To Four Years

Ankara, Turkey (AHN) - Former European record holder and middle distance runner Sureyya Ayhan's lifetime ban has been reduced to four years on Friday.

The country's Youth and Sports Directorate's arbitration committee has yet to reveal the reasons behind the reduction of the suspension. The 29-year-old former 1,500 meters champion was meted a lifetime ban in January by the Turkish Athletics Federation following a second doping infraction. Ayhan appealed the Federation's verdict.

In September, during preparations for the 2008 Beijing Games, Ayhan failed a drug test but the drug involved was not revealed. She was first suspended for two-years after testing positive in 2005.

Ayhan, the first Turkish woman to reach the World Championship final in 2001, owns the Turkish records in the 800 meters with a time of 2:00:64 and the 1500 meters with 3:55:33.

During the 2000 Sydney Games, Ayhan reached the semifinals becoming the first Turkish woman athlete to achieve the feat in an Olympic event.