The Italian Ahmed Abdel Wahedrecent European runner-up in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in August on Munichtested positive for meldonium, a substance banned since 2016, as announced by the athlete and his federation.
The Italian Federation indicated that he “received notification of the positive of a doping control” from his athlete, confirming information from La Repubblica. According to the Italian newspaper, the control was carried out during the European Championship in Munich.
“I was temporarily suspended for the presence of a substance I had never heard of. I first discovered the presence of meldonium when I was informed that it was found in my test,” Abdelwahed wrote on Instagram.
In Munich, Ahmed Abdelwahed, 26, finished second in the 3,000m hurdles final with 8’22″35, just beaten by Finn Topi Raitanen (8’21″80). Another Italian, Osama Zoghlami, completed the podium.
Included since 2016 in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list, meldonium was originally a protective drug for heart cells sold only in Eastern European countries and widely diverted for the purposes of doping.
Since then, there have been many positive cases, especially among Russian athletes, including tennis player Maria Sharapova, who was once suspended for 15 months.
“I have never voluntarily taken this substance, so I am trying to understand why it is in my urine. I always run for fun, I have never been obsessed with being the strongest or winning,” added Ahmed Abdelwahed.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
