PARIS (AFP) - France's women's 1500 metres world championships bronze medallist Bouchra Ghezielle was handed a three-and-a-half-year suspension on Thursday by the French Athletics Federation for failing a dope test for banned blood-booster EPO.

The 29-year-old, Moroccan-born runner received a heavier punishment than French cross country champion Khalid Zoubaa, who was suspended for three years last year for testing positive for EPO.

In both cases, the disciplinary commission invoked the French law which allows them to punish the athlete for a period of between two and six years in the case of a serious first doping offence.

Ghezielle, who since her success at the world championships has had no successes of note, can appeal against a punishment that will probably see her never return to the track again given her age.