Rebellin was one of five athletes who tested positive in April for CERA (Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator), an advanced version of the blood-boosting drug Erythropoietin (EPO), in new tests using retroactive blood samples taken at the games.

 

All denied doping but CONI said today that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had informed them that Rebellin's appeal had failed.

 

A statement said: "The IOC Disciplinary Commission has disqualified Italian athlete Davide Rebellin from the men's road cycling race at the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, where he finished second.

 

"The medal awarded in the event noted above will be withdrawn."

 

Samuel Sanchez of Spain won the road race in Beijing, Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland finished third and Alexander Kolobnev of Russia was fourth.

 

Cancellara and Kolobnev are now expected to be moved up to the silver and bronze medal positions respectively.

 

The other athletes from Beijing who tested positive were 1500 metres champion Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain; German cyclist Stefan Schumacher; Croatian 800-metre runner Vanja Perisic; and Greek race walker Athanasia Tsoumeleka.

 

Rebellin, a 28-year-old from Verona, becomes the first Italian athlete stripped of an Olympic medal for doping.

 

A specialist at long single-day races, Rebellin won the Amstel Gold Race, Walloon Arrow and Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2004 and is nicknamed Tintin.

 

As well as losing his silver medal, Rebellin will also have to give back his 75,000 euro (£63,500) Olympic bonus from CONI.

 

Under new IOC rules, Rebellin will also be prevented from competing at the London 2012 Olympics.

 

Rebellin was immediately suspended by CONI when the IOC announced the positive test in April.

 

He was also suspended by his team at the time, Diquigiovanni-Androni, even though Rebellin was riding for Gerolsteiner at the time of the Olympics.

 

CONI will now open disciplinary proceedings against Rebellin.

 

 

Related stories

April 2009: Olympic 1500m champion heads list of shame