A major doping scandal is unfolding at the Paris Olympics as Congolese sprinter Dominique Lasconi Mulamba has tested positive for an anabolic steroid.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on Sunday that a sample provided by Mulamba, who served as a flag bearer for Congo at the opening ceremony, contained stanozolol metabolite.
This is the same substance that disgraced Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson used to enhance his performance at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
The positive test result has led to Mulamba’s immediate provisional suspension, barring him from participating in Sunday’s closing ceremony.
The 22-year-old athlete was eliminated in the preliminary round of the 100-meter sprint last week after clocking a time of 10.53 seconds.
The failed drug test was conducted on the following day.
This marks the fourth doping case to surface during the Paris Games, raising concerns about the prevalence of performance-enhancing substances in elite sports.
Mulamba has the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.