GREAT Britain bobsledder Arran Gulliver has failed an out-of-competition doping test putting his participation at next year’s Winter Olympics in doubt.
According to the International Testing Agency (ITA), Gulliver returned an adverse analytical finding for ostarine on March 2.
Ostarine enhances performance by promoting lean muscle growth and improving strength.
The ITA have imposed a provisional suspension on the 27-year-old athlete.
Gulliver has the right to request the analysis of his B-sample.
He could face a ban of up to four years if he has committed an anti-doping rule violation.
The ITA state: “If the B-sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A-sample, the case will be considered as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation.
“If the B-sample analysis is not requested, the case will also go ahead as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. The athlete will have the opportunity to present his explanations for the result.”
Gulliver only joined British Bobsleigh in the summer of 2022 and also won gold in his first-ever race at the North American Cup in Whistler.
Just a month later, he won World Cup silver at the same track before clinching World Cup gold in Lake Placid in only his fourth race in the sport.
He finished his first season with seven World Cup medals from eight races, including three gold medals, to win combined bronze overall.
Alongside Brad Hall, Taylor Lawrence and Greg Cackett, Gulliver made history as the crew became Great Britain’s first-ever European champions.
The foursome made more history in February 2023, winning GB’s first four-man bobsleigh World Championship medal since 1939 with silver in St Moritz.
The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) said: “We have been informed by the International Testing Agency (ITA) that bobsleigh athlete Arran Gulliver has returned an adverse analytical finding for SARMS enobosarm (ostarine) and that a mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed as a result.
“The BBSA is committed to the eradication of doping from sport and we fully support the ITA and other anti-doping organisations in ensuring the integrity of our sport is protected.
“As this case is currently ongoing, the BBSA will not be making any further comment at this stage.”
