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2 more Russian race walker banned for doping violations

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MOSCOW (AP) Two more Russian race walkers have been banned for doping.

The Russian athletics federation says Tuesday that Andrei Ruzavin and Nina Okhotnikova have been sanctioned for abnormalities in their biological passports, which monitor blood profiles over time for signs of doping.

Ruzavin, a member of the Russia team which won a bronze medal at last year's World Cup, was suspended or 2 1/2 years.

Okhotnikova, who has also been a member of the team, received a two-year ban.

Both athletes had results annulled for various periods dating to 2011.

More than two dozen Russian race walkers have been banned for doping in the past decade. Many, including Ruzavin, had Viktor Chegin as their coach.