SOFIA: Bulgarian weightlifter Velichko Cholakov, an Olympic and world medallist, died on Sunday at the age of 35, the hospital in his hometown of Smolyan announced. Cholakov took +105 kg bronze at the Athens 2004 Olympics and silver in the same division in the previous year’s world championships. He was part of the Bulgarian team pulled from the Beijing 2008 Games after failed dope tests. Cholakov was one of 11 members of the contingent to test positive for a banned anabolic steroid. In recent years Cholakov dedicated his time to training young weightlifters in Smolyan. The cause of death has yet to be confirmed. Published in Daily Times, August 21st , 2017.