American long jumper Lawson tests positive for steroid

FILE – In this Friday, March 2, 2018 file photo, United States’ Jarrion Lawson makes an attempt in the men’s long jump final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Britain. Lawson, who won silver at last year’s world championships, has been suspended after failing a drug test, it was reported on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. The Athletics Integrity Unit, which handles doping issues in track and field, says Lawson tested positive for a metabolite of the banned anabolic steroid trenbolone. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

MONACO — American long jumper Jarrion Lawson, who won silver at last year’s world championships, has been suspended after failing a doping test.

The Athletics Integrity Unit, which handles doping issues in track and field, says Lawson tested positive for a metabolite of the banned anabolic steroid trenbolone.

It didn’t say when the positive sample was taken. Lawson has been suspended until a full disciplinary hearing.

Lawson was fourth in the long jump at the 2016 Olympics and second at last year’s world championships, finishing four centimeters behind gold medalist Luvo Manyonga of South Africa. Lawson also won the 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump for the University of Arkansas at the 2016 NCAA track nationals.

Trenbolone helps build muscle mass and formed part of a steroid cocktail allegedly used by Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics.