Iranian alpine skier Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki tests positive for steroids at Beijing Winter Olympic Games

Iranian skier Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki has been suspended from the Beijing Olympic Games after testing positive for a banned agent.

Saveh-Shemshaki returned an adverse analytical finding for a metabolite of testosterone – an anabolic steroid — the International Testing Agency (ITA) said.

The 36-year-old was tested on Monday, February 7, in an out-of-competition test in Beijing, with his result reported on Wednesday.

The IOC said in a statement that Shemshaki has been «prevented from competing… or participating in any activity during the Olympic Winter Games.»

One of two athletes representing Iran, Shemshaki was Iran's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony, a role he reprised from his last appearance at a Games in Sochi.

At the Sochi Games he finished 31st in the slalom, his best finishing position at an Olympics.

Shemshaki was set to match the participation record by an Iranian alpine skier by competing at his third Olympic Games.

The ITA said Shemshaki has the right to appeal and request that his B sample be tested.

The result follows reports that 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned drug, having led ROC to team gold on Monday.

The ROC declined to comment on earlier reports that Valieva had returned a positive test, but Russian journalist Vasily Konov, the deputy general producer at Russian sports channel Match-TV, said the sample in question had been taken two months ago, without citing sources.

More to come.