Brazilian athlete Luiz Carlos Ramos has been banned for two years from international competition.

This follows the conclusion of official proceedings against him after a positive drug test for nandrolone in this year's Bermuda International Race Weekend.

The outcome means the long-distance runner, who recorded a second successive victory in the International Marathon, has been stripped of his title. It therefore catapults former fourth-place finisher, Bermuda's Brett Forgesson, into third place behind new champion El Afoui Boubker of Morocco and runner-up Fedor Ryzhov of Russia who was originally third.

"It's always nice to move up a spot but you would like to do it under better circumstances obviously," said Forgesson, reacting to the news yesterday.

"It's unfortunate when somebody takes drugs to improve their performance but, I guess, that's the nature of the game for some people."

Asked how he feels to be eligible for some extra prize money, he said: "That will be nice, yes."

An e-mail from athletics world-governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), confirmed to The Royal Gazette that 38-year-old Ramos, who completed the two-lap event around the Island in two hours, 21.23 minutes, will serve the mandatory period of exile from the sport, from February 12 this year - the date on which the positive test was returned - to February 11, 2005.

Meanwhile, the other athlete who tested positive at the annual athletics showpiece - Nials Strik of the Netherlands - is yet to learn his fate.

Though provisionally banned after cocaine showed up in both his A and B samples, the Dutch runner is due to have his hearing before his national athletics federation this month. Thereafter, it is the Dutch federation's responsibility to make a decision on a final suspension.

If they believe Strik to be innocent, the IAAF will step in and consider whether or not that decision was correct.

"If we agree, then the athlete is immediately reinstated. If we don't agree then we maintain the provisional suspension and take the case to arbitration at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne (Switzerland)," said IAAF spokesman Nick Davies, outlining the process.

Strik finished third in the International Half-Marathon which was run on January 19 this year along with the marathon. If he is also stripped of his place and prize money, Christopher England of the USA would replace him in the bronze position behind winner Dmitry Maximov of Russia and another American, Kyle Baxter.

Strik, who was also third in the 2002 half-marathon, clocked one hour, 09.07 minutes in an event that finished in blinding rain. The Dutchman's expulsion would see Bermuda's Jay Donawa moving from seventh to sixth place.

Forgesson, who intends to compete in the 2004 Race Weekend, said no-one has officially contacted him about the matter though he had heard rumours.

The ruling also means he has equalled his previous best performance in the marathon which was a significant accomplishment given that he was not at his peak this year.

"I don't think I was in the greatest shape I have ever been (in) but you've got to do your best out there on the day and if it comes your way, it comes your way. I'm pleased to be in the top three. It's good."

As for the next International Marathon, the 39-year-old said: "I certainly plan to be at the starting line and hopefully in pretty good shape. I'd like to see if I can improve (on) my time from this year and try and get a bit fitter than I have been."