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7 May 2026
The ITA reports that a sample collected from Yauheni Tsikhantsou on 8 March 2026 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control has returned an AAF¹ for growth hormone (hGH).
hGH is listed under the WADA Prohibited List as S2 Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics. It is classified as a non-specified substance and is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition). hGH has anabolic and lipolytic properties, which promotes lean muscle mass and reduction of fat, respectively.
The athlete has been informed of the case and has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
If the B-sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A-sample, the case will be considered as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. If the B-sample analysis is not requested, the case will also go ahead as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. The athlete will have the opportunity to present his explanations for the result.
Further, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and article 7.4.1 of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules, a mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed on the athlete. The athlete has the right to challenge the provisional suspension and ask for its lifting.
Pursuant to the IWF’s delegation of its anti-doping program to the ITA, the prosecution of the case is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments made.
¹ A report from a WADA-accredited laboratory that, consistent with the International Standard for Laboratories, establishes in a sample the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers or evidence of the use of a prohibited method.
