Bulgarian Lifter Stripped of Gold Still Has Medal

Bulgarian weightlifter Mitko Grablev has not yet given back the gold medal he was stripped of at the Games for taking banned drugs, a Bulgarian team spokesman said on Friday.

The spokesman said the bantamweight, who was still in Seoul waiting for the next flight home, had not officially advised the team that he would return the medal. But he added: “It will definitely be given back. There is no doubt about it.”

Competition officials said arrangements for a new medal ceremony would be announced on Saturday. The silver medalist from Monday’s competition, Soviet lifter Oxen Mirzoian, will be given the gold.