Ukrainian long jumper given four-year ban after testing positive for testosterone
Bekh-Romanchuk, who has won silver in long jump and triple jump in the world championships, denied taking testosterone but could not explain the presence of metabolites of testosterone in the sample, the AIU said in a statement.
The 30-year-old, who won gold in triple jump in the 2022 European Championships and the 2023 European Games, said she strongly disagreed with the AIU's decision, adding that she was taking a break from athletics to focus on her family and health.
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3 Ukraine's Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk competes in the Women's Triple Jump Final during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on Aug. 3, 2024.
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3 Bekh-Romanchuk celebrates with her medal during the podium ceremony for the Women's Triple Jump at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Aug. 26, 2023.
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3 Bekh-Romanchuk lands a jump during the women's triple jump final at the Paris Olympic Games at Stade de France.
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'I refused to sign any documents that required me to admit my guilt because I am an honest person and my humanity and dignity are important to me,' Bekh-Romanchuk posted on Instagram.
'Today, I have to make a difficult choice. I can no longer fight on two fronts — for my good name before the Athletics Integrity Unit and for my future in my personal life.
'It is incredibly exhausting, especially emotionally, and it affects my health… that is why I have decided to take a break to focus on my family and my own health.'
Bekh-Romanchuk's period of ineligibility commenced on May 13, the day she was provisionally suspended, the AIU said.
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