Weightlifting: Egypt banned from World Championships for doping offences

The World Championships are the most important qualifying event for Tokyo 2020.

Egypt has been banned from weightlifting's World Championships for doping offences and could also be suspended from Tokyo 2020.

The Egyptians have been given a two-year ban after seven positive doping tests for young weightlifters in 2016.

The World Championships got under way in Thailand on Wednesday.

Egypt can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but if the ban is upheld, they will be barred from next year's Olympics.

The World Championships are the most important qualifying event for Tokyo 2020.

Rio 2016 bronze medallists Mohamed Ehab and Sara Ahmed were set to be their nation's strongest medal contenders in Tokyo.