GREAT Britain bobsledder Arran Gulliver will miss the 2026 Winter Olympics after receiving a two-year ban for doping.
Gulliver, from Bewdley, was provisionally suspended earlier this year after he failed an out-of-competition doping test in March.
The 28-year-old returned an adverse analytical finding for ostarine according to the International Testing Agency (ITA).
Ostarine, a banned substance, enhances performance by promoting lean muscle growth and improving strength.
And the ITA have now reported Gulliver has accepted a two-year period of ineligibility which will run until March 2027.
The Agency added that Gulliver did not challenge the finding and confirmed the anti-doping violation was not intentional.
His competitive results from March 2 onwards earlier this year have been disqualified.
This includes the bronze medal he won for Great Britain at the World Championships.
In a statement released on social media, Gulliver said extensive testing discovered a supplement he took contained the banned substance.
Gulliver said: “I acknowledge and accept the decisions made by the International Testing Agency (ITA) after the full investigation into the adverse analytical finding in a urine test earlier this year.
“Extensive, controlled laboratory testing has confirmed that a supplement I took was contaminated with a banned substance that was not disclosed on the website or label.
“However, I accept that buying and using this supplement was an error in judgement on my part. This is a decision that I regret deeply and will have to live with for the rest of my life.
“Ultimately, in accordance with UK anti-doping guidelines I accept full responsibility for what I put in my body.
“But to be clear, I never have, nor would I ever knowingly take any substances that are banned or prohibited.
“I have always been an advocate for clean sport, and I want to use this period of ineligibility to look for channels where I can help educate young athletes.
“The last few months have been the most difficult of my life as I have got to grips with the reality of my suspension from the sport of bobsleigh.
“Unfortunately, I will miss the opportunity to fulfil my childhood dream and represent my country in the 2026 Olympic Games.
“Looking to the future, I will be returning to elite sport when I am eligible to do so.
“I love my country and every opportunity that I have had to represent it I have never taken for granted.
“I will continue to train hard and give everything I have for this sport and my country with the aim of representing Great Britain at the 2030 Winter Olympic Games.”
The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association said in a statement: “The BBSA note today’s ruling that bobsleigh athlete Arran Gulliver has been handed a two-year suspension as the result of an adverse analytical finding for SARMS enobosarm (ostarine) following an out of competition test in March.
“The BBSA is committed to the eradication of doping and we fully support the International Testing Agency (ITA) and other anti-doping organisations in ensuring the integrity of our sport is protected.
“We will continue to work closely with UK Anti-Doping and the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) to promote clean sport both internally and externally and to ensure fairness is at the heart of all competition.
“We note Arran’s decision to accept the verdict handed down by the ITA and to take full responsibility for his actions and the consequences that have arisen as a result.
“We also note the ITA’s ruling that the violation arose as a result of contamination and was not intentional and we welcome Arran’s desire to now work to ensure others do not make the same mistake.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics take place in February next year in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
