The Moldovan sports world was dealt a heavy blow as athletes Natalia Artic (discus throw) and Marina Marghieva (hammer throw) tested positive at a doping control before the Olympic Games in London. Because of that, Artic and Marghiev won’t participate in the Olympics, Info-Prim Neo reports. The information was confirmed by the national sports heads, although it was kept a secret initially. According to officials, the athletes risk a ban from sports for at least two years. Thereby, Moldova will be represented only by 8 athletes at the London Olympics: Ion Luchianov, Elena Popescu, Olesea Cojuhari (running), Iaroslav Mulinschi, Roman Prodius and Natalia Cerchez (marathon) and Zalina and Sergiu Marghiev (hammer throw). The athletics competition will start on Friday, August 3 and Ion Luchianov will be the first to enter the competition. He will participate in the 3000m steeplechase qualifications.