Jarrion Lawson Disputes Failed Drug Test

Jarrion Lawson Disputes Failed Drug Test

Jarrion Lawson disputes positive test of steroid trenbolone.

Aug 31, 2018 by Lincoln Shryack
Jarrion Lawson Disputes Failed Drug Test

2017 World Championship long jump silver medalist and Olympian Jarrion Lawson has been provisionally suspended by the IAAF’s Athletics Integrity Unit for a failed doping test.

A urine sample provided by the American on June 2 came up positive for a metabolite of the steroid trenbolone, and Lawson was notified by the AIU on August 3 of the results. He has been suspended from competition while awaiting a disciplinary hearing.

In a statement released by his agent Paul Doyle, Lawson says that he believes the trace amounts of trenbolone found in his system came as a result of ingesting beef. Like zeranol, the growth hormone for which Ajee Wilson tested positive for last year, trenbolone is a USDA approved steroid used in the production of beef. Wilson was stripped of the 800m indoor American record she set on February 11, 2017 due to the positive test, but she ultimately served no ban.

According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) website, Lawson has been tested three times by USADA in 2018.

In the wake of his suspension, Lawson is optimistic that he will be cleared on any wrongdoing in the case.

“We are confident that we will prove that the metabolite entered my system through contamination,” his statement read. 

“The Athletics Integrity Unit has been very helpful in providing us with the information needed to make our case. I am a 100% clean athlete and a big supporter of a clean sport. I am completely confident that a fair decision will be made in this case and I will be cleared of any wrong doing.”