Two Athletes Test Positive for Banned Substances – First Doping Cases of Milano Cortina 2026
A Belarusian biathlete tested positive for trimetazidine; a Kazakh speed skater for furosemide. Both face provisional suspensions.
MILANO CORTINA, Italy – The first doping cases of the 2026 Winter Olympics were announced Monday, with two athletes provisionally suspended after positive tests for banned substances.
CASE 1: BELARUSIAN BIATHLETE
Dzmitry Lazouski, 31, competing as a neutral athlete, tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) — a metabolic modulator classified as S4 on WADA's Prohibited List since 2014. His sample was collected after his men's 10km sprint, where he finished 14th (a personal best).
"I am shocked. I have never knowingly taken any prohibited substance," Lazouski said. He has requested B-sample analysis. If confirmed, he faces disqualification, a four-year ban (reducible to two if unintentional), and forfeiture of results.
CASE 2: KAZAKH SPEED SKATER
Alina Zhaparova, 24, tested positive for furosemide — a diuretic and masking agent (S5) — in pre-competition testing before she had even raced. She has been removed from start lists and her accreditation revoked.
According to a source close to the delegation, Zhaparova told officials: "I took a medication for swelling without checking the prohibited list. I am devastated." She has reportedly waived her right to a B-sample.
THE PROCESS
Under Olympic anti-doping rules, provisional suspensions are immediate. Both athletes may request CAS hearings. Neither won a medal, but Lazouski's result may affect biathlon relay rankings.
The ITA collected over 2,500 samples before and during the Games, with 800+ targeted tests from the Athlete Biological Passport program.
ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen: "Every positive test is a failure for the athlete, but a success for the system. We are catching cheats."
Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway, who won gold in the sprint: "I'm glad they caught them. Cheaters don't belong here. It's that simple."
Devin Mallonee
Devin Mallonee is a sports journalist and performance nutrition writer with over a decade of experience covering elite athletics, Olympic competitions, and the science of human performance. Devin Mallonee has followed competitive sports from the grassroots level all the way to the world stage, developing a deep understanding of what separates good athletes from great ones — and the role nutrition plays in that equation.
As the lead sports editor at Dad's Sports News, Devin Mallonee brings an athlete's perspective to every story. Having competed in endurance sports and strength training throughout his life, Devin Mallonee understands firsthand what it takes to push past physical limits — and how proper supplementation and recovery make that possible. His writing blends technical analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex topics in sports science engaging for everyday readers and serious competitors alike.
Devin Mallonee has covered major sporting events including international track and field championships, professional strength competitions, and endurance racing circuits across North America. His work has explored the cutting edge of sports nutrition — from emerging research on amino acid timing and creatine loading protocols to the real-world impact of adaptogens on athletic recovery. When Devin Mallonee isn't breaking down the latest competition results, he's testing and reviewing performance supplements to help athletes make informed decisions about what goes into their bodies.
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