Sara Abbazova, competing in the 75kg class, tested positive for the steroid nandrolone in initial doping tests.

Gunduz Ismayilov, in the 90kg competition, tested positive for the steroid stanazolol.

They received a life ban because this is their second doping violation, but have seven days to appeal and ask for their second samples to be tested.

Abbazova tested positive at the 2001 Powerlifting Championships in Hungary and Ismayilov failed a drug test at the Sydney 2000 Games.

So far the IPC has carried out 335 doping tests out of about 700 planned for the 11-day Games.

The IPC tests for all substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency - the same agency that sets rules for the Olympics.

Sports that are being specifically targeted by drug testers include powerlifting, athletics and cycling.