Iranian skier Hossein Saveh Shemshaki, 36, was suspended on Wednesday night for the duration of the Beijing Olympics due to a doping test carried out on Monday, the International Control Agency (ITA) announced.
Tested out of competition, this specialist in technical events has tested positive for an anabolic steroid, and is banned “to compete, train, train, or participate in any activity during the 2022 Winter Olympics”, specifies the body responsible for the Games anti-doping program.
The skier, who has never competed in a World Cup stage and whose best result is a 31st place in slalom at the Sochi 2014 Olympics, can nevertheless challenge his suspension before the anti-doping chamber of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This is the first case of doping made public during the Beijing Games, and the second for Iran in Olympic history following the exclusion at the 1972 Munich Olympics of weightlifter Mohamad Nasehi Ar Jomand (-52 kg), who tested positive for ephedrine.