Bulgarian weightlifters challenge Rio ban

Banned from the 2016 Olympics for excessive doping, Bulgaria's weightlifting team has appealed to sport's highest court.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the Bulgarian federation will challenge a $US500,000 fine and wants sanctions are frozen pending the verdict.

No date has been set for the appeal hearing.

Last month, the International Weightlifting Federation's executive board ruled Bulgaria wasn't eligible to participate in Rio in August.

In March, eight men and three women in the team tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol during training.

Bulgaria has a tainted record in Olympic weightlifting.

In 2008, the team was withdrawn weeks before the Beijing Games after 11 lifters tested positive for banned drugs.

In 2000, the team was sent home from Sydney and stripped of three medals.