In another embarrassing incident for the Olympic host nation, a Greek weightlifter has been stripped of his bronze medal for a doping offence.

Leonidas Sampanis took bronze in the 62-kilogram weightlifting category Monday and had won silver in two previous Olympics.

Sampanis, 32, tested positive for twice the permitted amount of testosterone, IOC officials said. Doctors determined that the testosterone came from outside the body.

"Honestly, I can say that for the last 10 years, the time that I have been a weightlifter, I never used this kind of drug. I want to say to the Greek people that I swear to God and on my two children I never used this kind of drug," a crying Sampanis said. "I want you to believe me. I want you to stand by me."
 
Sampanis is the ninth weightlifter to fail drugs tests. His medal is the first to be stripped from an athlete at the Athens Games for doping.

Venezuela's Israel Jose Rubio Rivero, was awarded the bronze after the decision.

The medal stripping is the latest in a series of blows to Greek pride in Athens, four days after the country's two star sprinters, Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, pulled out of the Games after being embroiled in a scandal for missing a drugs test.

Russian under investigation

A Russian gold medallist in women's shot put is under investigation for a positive drug test.

Irina Korzhanenko won her medal on Wednesday at the sacred site of Ancient Olympia, home of the Games 2,800 years ago.

All top four finishers are routinely tested for performance-enhancing drugs.

The next step is a hearing before a disciplinary commission of the International Olympic Committee. If she's found guilty, Korzhanenko would lose her medal and be expelled from the Games.

Korzhanenko has previously lost a medal over a doping violation. She was stripped of a silver medal at the world indoor championships.