Russian steeplechase champion Lyubov Ivanova was banned for two years by her country’s track and field federation after testing positive for an unspecified steroid.

Ivanova won the European 3,000-meter steeplechase title in 2003. She tested positive after finishing fourth at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, Germany, in September, the Associated Press reports.

Her ban took effect Friday and must be ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations. The ban was confirmed Sunday by Rostislav Orlov, spokesman for the Russian Athletics Federation.

Nine Russian athletes had failed tests this season, less than half the total from 2005 when 23 were banned, Valentin Balakhnichev, president of the federation, told the news agency All Sport.

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