Athletics Integrity Unit announces that the 2015 world 800m champion has tested positive for a prohibited substance

Belarusian middle-distance runner Marina Arzamasova has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has announced.

Arzamasova won the world 800m title in Beijing in 2015 and European gold the year before (pictured), finishing ahead of Britain’s Lynsey Sharp in Zurich.

The AIU states that one of Arzamasova’s samples showed the presence of ‘LGD-4033’, which, according to ScienceScape, is “mostly known for its muscle mass increasing properties that actually don’t come with the common steroidal side effects”.

The status of the case is that notice of the allegation has been issued.

“The AIU confirms a Provisional Suspension against Belarusian middle-distance runner Marina Arzamasova for a violation of the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules,” reads a tweet from the Athletics Integrity Unit.

Arzamasova has an 800m PB of 1:57.54 set in Beijing four years ago, while her best in 2019 is 2:02.51 from July.

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