Cyclist Removed From Asian Games After She Fails to Clear Her Doping Test

Filipino cyclist Ariana Evangelista suffered a massive blow after she failed her doping test. They have provisionally banned the cyclist from participating in the Asian Games. The test happened during the Hangzhou Asian Games. However, along with Ariana, the Uzbek cyclist Aleksey Fomovskiy also failed to clear the doping test.

The International Testing Agency issued a statement regarding the whole matter. Evangelista tested positive for a banned substance called Erythropoietin(EPO). However, Ariana has the right to request B samples for further tests.

End of the Road For Ariana Evangelista

The Filipino cyclist will have to face heavy consequences after failing the doping test. The Asian Games committee has currently imposed a partial suspension on her. Both Ariana and Aleksey failed three doping tests within a matter of 24 hours. However, Ariana tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. She did take part in the women’s cross country competition the next day and came 13th.

The sports.inquirer shared the official statement of ITA: “Two samples (blood and urine) were collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on 24 September 2023,” it ITA statement read.

“The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. She has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.”

However, 22-year-old Aleksey who came fifth in the men’s race failed a drug test for anabolic steroids. The ITA collected the samples during the day of the event itself. However, the consequences of Aleksey are not clear as of yet.

Previously many world-class athletes have failed to qualify for the doping tests. Although there are very strict rules in places still athletes manage to take drugs. Also, last Tuesday the ITA and the Olympic Council of Asia reported about Mohammed Yousef Alasiri. The Saudi runner failed to clear his doping test as well.

Doping and Its Consequences

Doping is one of the serious problems currently in the world of sports. Athletes take in banned substances to help improve their performance. However, once the athlete is caught his/ her career comes to an end. The majority of the athletes work hard to enhance their skills.

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However, there are few who take shortcuts in order to improve themselves. As an athlete, it’s important to believe in hard work. Shortcuts often have serious consequences.  What are your suggestions to stop the use of drugs in sports? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

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