Two powerlifters from Mali and Ukraine have been excluded from the Paralympic Games following doping violations.

Facourou Sissoko from Mali and Ukrainian Liudmyla Osmanova tested positive in pre-Games out-of-competition tests for the anabolic agents boldenone metabolite and 19-Norandrosterone, respectively.

Both athletes have been disqualified from the Beijing Games and banned for two years.

The results take the number of violations at the Games to four.

Pakistan powerlifter Naveed Ahmed Butt tested positive for methandienone metabolites on Tuesday, while German wheelchair basketball player Ahmet Coskun was banned for using a substance he insisted was he took to combat hair loss.

Coskun tested positive for finasteride, which can be used as a masking agent.

The athletes can appeal the decision up to seven days after receiving the notification.

To date, a total of 461 tests have been carried out at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.