Thiago Braz, the Brazilian pole vault star, who became Olympic champion in Rio 2016, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for doping. The 29-year-old had won the gold medal at the 31st Olympiad in a surprising fashion, with a jump of 6.03 metres, which is still a record in the history of the international multi-sporting event.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), an independent body, which handles the doping cases for the track and field events all over the world, announced the provisional suspension for Thiago Braz. They said that the athlete was notified of the allegation about the presence or use of the prohibited substance called Ostarine Glucuronide or Ostarine.
As per the report in NBC Sports, Ostarine is listed as a banned anabolic agent by the World Anti-Doping Agency. It is known as a selective androgen receptor modulator, which can help in muscle growth.
It was mentioned that the “provisional suspensions can be issued while awaiting a hearing on charges to determine an official punishment, if any. A positive test for ostarine can mean a ban of up to four years.”
Thiago Braz, who had also won bronze medal in pole vault at Tokyo 2020, will not be able to compete at any athletics event until a final decision is made about his fate by the World Athletics Anti-Doping rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct at a hearing.
Moreover, Thiago Braz had taken part in two Diamond League events this July, in preparation for the World Championship, which will be held in Budapest, Hungary, next month.
