Czech shot putter Machura gets 2-year doping ban

PRAGUE (AP) —Czech shot putter Remigius Machura has been banned for two years for doping.

The disciplinary committee of the Czech athletics federation issued the ban Thursday, saying Machura tested positive for a growth hormone in an out-of-competition test in July.

The ban ends Aug. 11, 2012, meaning he will miss the London Olympics.

The 24-year-old Machura denied any wrongdoing.

He is the 2005 European youth champion and competed at the European Championship in Barcelona in July but didn’t qualify for the final.