A Chinese cyclist and an equestrian rider were each banned from competition for two years for doping offenses, the government said Wednesday.

Zeng Liqing, a female cyclist from southeastern China's Fujian province, tested positive for the blood booster EPO in an out-of-competition check March 25, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the China Olympic Committee.

Xu Xianyu's horse Chariot had positive results for the anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac on June 12, it said.

Zeng also was fined $500. Her Australian coach, Martin Vinnicombe, was fined $600 and banned from coaching in China for four years, the report said.

Chariot, a horse owned by the Shenzhen Gangtai Jockey Club, was suspended from racing for one year. The club was also banned for one year from entering any competition, it said.

China publicizes its anti-doping enforcement measures in an effort to restore a reputation damaged by a string of doping scandals in the 1990s. It has vowed to ensure upcoming National Games are not tarnished by such incidents.

(Agencies)