PH cyclist Ariana Evangelista fails doping test at Asian Games

FILE–Ariana Evangelista–PHILCYCLING PHOTO

Filipino mountain bike rider Ariana Evangelista has failed her doping test at the Hangzhou Asian Games and has been provisionally suspended, officials said Wednesday.

Evangelista, along with Uzbek cyclist Aleksey Fomovskiy, made it three failed doping tests announced in 24 hours at these Games.

The International Testing Agency said that Evangelista tested positive for the banned substance erythropoietin (EPO), which enhances performance.

Evangelista competed in the women’s cross-country Olympic mountain bike competition the next day and came 13th.

It typically takes several days for a failed test to come through.

“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.”

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Fomovskiy, who came fifth in the men’s omnium points race on September 28, failed a drug test for anabolic steroids.

The sample was collected on the day of the event, said the ITA, which handles some areas of doping control at the Games.

Late Tuesday, the ITA and Olympic Council of Asia said Saudi distance runner Mohammed Yousef Alasiri had also failed a drug test.

So did Afghan boxer Mohammad Khaibar Nooristani, on September 28, in what was the first known case of doping at the 19th Asian Games. –Agence France-Presse