THE past week saw a significant loss for one fallen Bulgarian sports star, a rise in the fortunes of another, and moves to keep on the straight and narrow - both when it comes to doping, and when it comes to curling.

Bulgarian weightlifting Sydney 2000 Olympic champion Galabin Boevski lost his case against the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). The Sports Court of Arbitration in Lausanne confirmed the penalty of an eight-year suspension of the right to take part in competitions. The penalty was imposed after Boevski, along with his team-mates Zlatan Vanev and Georgi Markov, was accused of interfering with doping tests ahead of last December's world championship in Vancouver. Vanev and Markov were each given eight-month suspensions from competition.

According to the IWF, the urine samples provided by the three men were identical and came from one person.

Commentators said that the confirmation of the penalty effectively spelt the end of 30-year-old Boevski's career. By the rules related to such suspensions, Boevski also will not be allowed to continue as a member of the Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation.

"I am disappointed with the outcome of the case, but I am content with the battle. I know that from now on, the IWF will always bear one thing in mind, when it takes a stand against Bulgarians. I have no intention of appealing against the decision of the court. I hoped to have a chance of winning the case, but I was prepared for the outcome," Boevski was quoted as saying by Bulgarian-language media on December 8.

Meanwhile, Bulgarian tennis rising star Sesil Karatancheva continues to climb in the world rankings. She is now 119th, following an extremely successful showing at a tournament in Palm Beach, Florida.

Another Bulgarian sports star heading for a change is Krassimir Balakov, who has decided not to renew his contract with Stuttgart FC, which he joined in 1995. He became a major star, withdrawing from the playing field in 2003 to become assistant coach of the team.

The eyes of the sporting world turned to Athens this week, the venue for the Fourth International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials for Sport and Physical Education of UNESCO member states, where the signing took place of an anti-doping convention drafted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Among the signatories was Vassil "Luciano" Ivanov, Bulgaria's Minister of Youth and Sport. More than 80 UNESCO member states have signed the convention.

According to a report by Bulgarian news agency BTA, Ivanov said that his ministry intended improving its anti-doping laboratory and obtaining a licence from the International Olympic Committee and WADA within two years. Ivanov had a meeting with WADA president Richard Pound, to discuss developments in the fight against doping, and Ivanov invited Pound to visit Bulgaria in spring next year.

During his stay in Athens, Ivanov met IOC president Jacques Rogge, and other officials, including Ivanov's Greek and Romanian counterparts.

Meanwhile, in the European Curling Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria's men's team beat Belarus, while Scotland topped the women's standings.

The Bulgarian national men's team had its fourth win in Division B of the European Curling Championships in Sofia. Taking on Belarus in their sixth match at the championships on December 6, the Bulgarian curling players defeated their opponents by 13-3 (2-0, 1-0, 4-0, 0-1, 4-0, 0-1, 2-0).