SWIMMING’S governing body said former world record-holder Li Zhesi of China is serving a two-year doping ban after testing positive for EPO.

    FINA said Tuesday Li and her coach, who was not identified, have been banned for doping violations by the China Swimming Federation.

    Dates of the suspension were not published.

    Li’s positive test for the banned blood-booster in a March 2012 out-of-competition test was revealed weeks before the London Olympics opened last July.

    Li was 14 when she swam the freestyle leg of China’s world record in 4x100-meter medley relay at the 2009 world championships in Rome.

    That mark was beaten by the United States in London.

    Li also won gold in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

    (SD-Agencies)