Ukrainian track and field athlete Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk has been banned for four years after testing positive for testosterone metabolites, according to a statement from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The 30-year-old Olympian, who has competed in three Olympic Games and won World Championship silver medals in both the long jump and triple jump, tested positive during an out-of-competition test conducted on December 7, 2024.
While Bekh-Romanchuk denied knowingly taking testosterone, the AIU said she could not provide a credible explanation for the presence of the banned substance in her system.
Her ban officially began on May 13, 2025, the date she was provisionally suspended.
In response, Bekh-Romanchuk posted a statement on Instagram, expressing disappointment in the decision. She said she refused to admit guilt, claiming she is “an honest person” and would not sign any documents suggesting otherwise.
“Today, I have to make a difficult choice,” she wrote. “I can no longer fight on two fronts — defending my name and managing my personal life. It’s emotionally exhausting and affecting my health. That’s why I’ve decided to take a break to focus on my family and well-being.”
The decorated athlete won gold in triple jump at the 2022 European Championships and the 2023 European Games.
