WINTER OLYMPICS : Polish Hockey Star Disqualified

The International Olympic Committee announced Sunday that Poland’s best ice hockey player, Jaroslaw Morawiecki, tested positive for a banned substance and has been disqualified from the Winter Games here.

Michelle Verdier, IOC spokeswoman, said Morawiecki’s ratio of testosterone, a male hormone, to epitestosterone exceeded the allowable limit of 6-1. According to the IOC medical commission, the normal ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone is 1-1.

Testosterone taken externally is believed to enhance an athlete’s performance and is considered cheating, Verdier said.

She said Morawiecki was one of four Polish players selected randomly for a drug test after the team’s victory Thursday against France. The IOC informed Polish officials of the positive test the next day. Morawiecki was held out of a 4-1 loss Saturday to Switzerland by Polish Coach Lester Lejczyk.

In agreement with the International Ice Hockey Federation, the IOC also required Poland to forfeit the goals it scored against France. Even with the points they had been awarded for that victory, the Poles could not have advanced to the medal round.