Sprinter Dominique Lasconi Mulamba, a flag bearer for Congo at the Paris Olympics, tested positive for an anabolic steroid, as confirmed by the International Testing Agency on Sunday, raising serious concerns.
Competing in the 100 meters, Mulamba’s sample showed traces of stanozolol metabolite, the same steroid used by sprinter Ben Johnson at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, according to the ITA’s statement.
Due to this violation, Mulamba faces a provisional suspension and is barred from attending Sunday’s closing ceremony, impacting his Olympic experience significantly.
The sample was taken a day after 22-year-old Mulamba’s elimination in the heats, where he ran 10.53 seconds, placing seventh, missing a chance to advance to the semifinals.
This marks the fourth drug test failure at the Paris Games.
Mulamba has the option to appeal the suspension through the Court of Arbitration for Sport to contest the findings.
