By Sohaib Shams
Bulgarian weightlifter and 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Bozhidar Dimitrov Andreev has been handed a four-year doping ban after testing positive for the anabolic steroid mesterolone, ruling him out of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Positive test and provisional suspension
The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on Friday that the 29-year-old's positive sample was collected out of competition on 15 October 2025. The adverse analytical finding was first reported in December, leading to a provisional suspension. Mesterolone is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) both in and out of competition.
Medal unaffected
Andreev's bronze medal from the Paris 2024 Games in the 73-kilogram division remains unaffected. He lifted a combined 344kg to finish behind Indonesia's Rizki Juniansyah and Thailand's Weeraphon Wichuma.
Career highlights
Before his Olympic success, Andreev won gold at the 2014 Youth Olympics, European titles in 2019 and 2024, and a world championship bronze in 2019.
Appeal possible
The ban runs until November 2029. Andreev can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
