Sussex's Olympic rower Guin Batten has welcomed the Chinese drug bust.

China withdrew seven rowers after failing blood and urine tests for the banned drug EPO, according to International Olympic Committee medical director Patrick Schamasch.

And Ditchling's Batten, who competes with sister Miriam in the women's quadruple sculls, said from the British team headquarters in Australia today: "It's brilliant news to expose it.

"If someone takes banned drugs action should be taken.

"People may worry about the image of the sport and try to keep it all hidden behind closed doors.

"But the Australians have proven they aren't afraid to expose this sort of thing and they're quite right "Cheating isn't acceptable. I've always been brought up to believe the sport is clean.

"I believe two of the Chinese are from our event, but I suppose they'll draft in a couple of others who will still be able to compete.

"It's the first time they've had blood testing at an Olympics and it has already proved it is worth doing."

The Chinese move follows last week's approval of the test for EPO and the IOC has promised between 300 and 700 of them in the lead up and during the Games.

The Chinese team, due in Sydney in five days, had the banned drug Human Growth Hormone found in a swimmer's luggage before the 1998 World Championships down under.