Athlete banned in landmark case

Portuguese distance runner Helder Ornelas has been found guilty of a doping violation and given a four-year ban.

It is the first case where an athlete biological passport has been used as the only evidence.

The evidence against Ornelas comprised a series of blood test results collected by the IAAF between December 2009 and November 2010.

The passport measures and monitors an athlete's blood variables over time and establishes an individual profile which can indicate the use of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method.

Following an in-depth review of Ornelas' profile, three experts unanimously concluded that there was no known reasonable explanation for the abnormalities observed in his blood profile other than the use of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method.

IAAF President Lamine Diack said: "Those who try to cheat within the athletics community should be warned that the Athlete Biological Passport is not merely a concept but rather an efficient method that is now being used by the IAAF Anti-Doping Department to identify, target and catch those who believe that doping is the only route to success.

"Cheaters should also be aware that, if they are caught, the IAAF will seek an increased four-year sanction whenever the circumstances so justify."