“I couldn’t dream of a more beautiful goal.” In January 2023, in the columns of 20 Minutes, Dimitri Bascou expressed his dream of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. After having withdrawn from the slopes for many months following his non-qualification for the he 2021 edition in Tokyo, the bronze medalist in the 110m hurdles in Rio undoubtedly said goodbye to this dream last week, when he learned, as reported by France Info, of his positive test for steroids.
The positive test in question was carried out on January 28 during a competition in Val-de-Reuil (Eure), and he received notification last Friday from the French Anti-Doping Agency ( AFLD). A massive blow, as he confided on the radio. “I am amazed. In more than 15 years of career, I have not had a single misstep. I am always very vigilant. I have always respected the anti-doping rules. I have never had any problems with no shows or during unexpected checks. First of all, I have to meet the AFLD next week to explore all the avenues that could explain this abnormal control.”
The first avenue, widespread for several years, is that of contamination. “The preferred route is of course a food supplement,” he continues. However, I am very careful with the brands I have worked with for years. I haven’t recently taken any new products compared to usual. I will speak again after the meeting with the AFLD.” Still, in terms of timing, it now seems impossible for the 36-year-old athlete to be able to demonstrate his innocence while achieving the minimums at the same time, by June 30. Not to mention the strong competition reigning in the 110m hexagonal hurdles with Sasha Zhoya and Pascal Martinot-Lagarde.
