The Ukrainian long and three-jumper Maryna Bech Romantschuk has been closed for four years because of a positive doping test.
At the long-time opponent of Tokyo Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo, the use of testosterone was demonstrated, as the independent integrity commission (AIU) of the World Athletics Association announced.
The lock applies retrospectively from May 13th of this year. Bech Romantschuk has been suspended since then. In addition, all results have been canceled since December 7, 2024. The lock could now mean the early end of the career of the 30-year-old.
Bech romantic “absolutely disagree”
She “absolutely disagreed with the decision,” said Bech-Romantschuk on her Instagram channel. “I refused to sign any documents that require the recognition of my guilt because I am an honest person and my humanity and dignity are important to me.”
The athlete announced that she wanted to take a break and take care of her family and health during this time. She also announced a big interview. Bech Romantschuk’s man Mychajlo Romantschuk was a world-class swimmer.
Bech Romantschuk himself has been part of the world in the longest and in triple jump. At the 2019 World Cup in Doha, she won silver in the long jump behind Mihambo, four years later she took second place at the World Cup in Budapest. In the same discipline, Bech Romantschuk won the gold medal at the European Championship in Munich in 2022.