Ukrainian track and field star Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk has been banned for four years after testing positive for metabolites of testosterone.
According to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the 30-year-old returned a positive result from an out-of-competition urine sample collected on December 7, 2024.
Bekh-Romanchuk, a three-time Olympian and silver medallist in both the long jump and triple jump at the World Championships, denied using testosterone but was unable to explain the presence of the banned substance in her sample.
The AIU confirmed that her period of ineligibility began on May 13, 2025 — the date of her provisional suspension.
Despite her achievements, which include gold in triple jump at the 2022 European Championships and the 2023 European Games, Bekh-Romanchuk expressed strong disagreement with the decision.
In a statement posted on Instagram, she wrote:
“I refused to sign any documents admitting guilt because I am an honest person, and my dignity matters to me. I can no longer fight on two fronts — to defend my name before the AIU and to secure my personal future. It is emotionally exhausting and affecting my health. That is why I have decided to take a break to focus on my family and well-being.”
