Doping scandals and suspensions continue to cast shadows on the sports world, as some athletes are found to have violated anti-doping regulations. Clostebol, an anabolic steroid that falls under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, has been a part of this controversy.
The Anti-Doping Database reveals that there are currently 75 cases involving clostebol. These cases span various sports and countries, highlighting the widespread challenge of maintaining fair play in athletics.
Athletes Involved in Clostebol Cases
Janik Sinner, Italy, Tennis
As of the date when this article was written, the Italian tennis-player had not received a final decision. We only mention him here because it is known that the world number one has tested positive for clostebol. The decision made by the International Tennis Integrity Agency has been appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Michael Smith, USA – Snowboarding
Michael Smith, a 17-year-old American snowboarder from Fryeburg, Maine, received a three-year suspension for a severe anti-doping rule violation. Smith’s case drew attention not only due to his young age but also due to the range of prohibited substances found in his samples. In addition to clostebol, he tested positive for methasterone, methenolone, ostarine, drostanolone, and methandienone, as well as exogenous testosterone. This combination of potent anabolic agents indicates intentional use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), with significant health risks and implications for competitive fairness.
According to USADA, an investigation was conducted to understand if Smith had received assistance from athlete support personnel or other adults. However, the investigation found no evidence of external support, suggesting that Smith acted independently. The three-year suspension for Smith, effective from June 4, 2024, is part of a strict anti-doping stance aimed at deterring similar violations. Smith’s case underscores the need for greater education and prevention strategies, particularly for young athletes.
Marco Bortolotti, Italy – Tennis
Unlike Smith, Marco Bortolotti, an Italian tennis player, received no suspension after testing positive for clostebol. Bortolotti, who provided a sample during a competition in Lisbon, Portugal, in October 2023, was able to prove that he bore “No Fault or Negligence” in his anti-doping violation. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found his explanation of unintentional contamination to be credible after extensive investigation and scientific evaluation.
Bortolotti’s defense was supported by analysis from a WADA-accredited laboratory, which confirmed the plausibility of his claims. Although he did not face a suspension, Bortolotti’s prize money and ranking points from the Lisbon tournament were forfeited. This case demonstrates the importance of rigorous investigation to distinguish between intentional doping and inadvertent violations, ensuring that penalties are fair and appropriate.
Jonathan Stanley, Canada – Powerlifting
Jonathan Stanley, a Canadian powerlifter, faced a three-year suspension after testing positive for multiple prohibited substances, including clostebol, trenbolone, oxandrolone, nandrolone, drostanolone, testosterone, and methylphenidate. This in-competition violation was recorded on June 3, 2023, with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) imposing the suspension as part of Canada’s commitment to upholding anti-doping standards. Stanley accepted the sanctions through an Early Admission and Acceptance of Sanction, reducing his period of ineligibility from four to three years.
His case highlights how doping not only affects an athlete’s reputation but also results in substantial consequences, as Stanley is barred from all related activities until July 24, 2026.
What Is Clostebol?
Clostebol is a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone, modified to enhance muscle-building effects while aiming to reduce androgenic (or masculinizing) side effects.
Although clostebol is less potent than other anabolic steroids, it still stimulates muscle growth, protein synthesis, and overall physical performance, making it attractive to athletes seeking a competitive edge. However, like all anabolic agents, clostebol is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) at all times due to its potential to distort fair competition and harm athletes' health.
Primarily, clostebol is used in medicine in some countries to aid recovery from injuries, surgeries, or serious illnesses, where it can promote muscle regeneration and speed up healing. In sports, however, it’s considered dangerous because it can significantly alter an athlete’s natural performance, providing an unfair advantage over competitors who adhere to clean sport practices.
Health Risks Associated with Clostebol
Despite its intended medicinal uses, clostebol, like other anabolic steroids, carries significant risks when misused or abused. Prolonged use of clostebol can lead to side effects, including liver toxicity, hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular issues, and potential psychological impacts such as aggression and mood swings. For athletes, these health risks are compounded by the reputational damage and competitive consequences of doping violations, which often result in suspensions, disqualification from events, and a loss of earnings or sponsorships.
Trends in Clostebol Violations
Analyzing the Anti-Doping Database reveals patterns in clostebol use, including geographical and sport-specific trends.
- Top Countries: Italy has the most anti-doping rule violations involving clostebol with 26 cases, followed by Brazil with 8 cases, and Costa Rica with 5 cases. Italy’s high numbers could be attributed to stringent testing protocols in specific sports, as well as a high participation rate in competitive sports where clostebol might be used.
- Top Sports: Cycling ranks highest in clostebol cases, with 15 incidents, followed by soccer (8) and track and field (7). The prevalence in cycling might be due to the demanding nature of the sport, which often sees athletes seeking performance-enhancing substances. Soccer and track and field, with large global followings and strict regulations, also show notable cases of clostebol violations, underscoring the ongoing efforts needed to curb doping.
- Suspension Lengths: Clostebol-related suspensions vary in length, reflecting the different levels of intent, awareness, and cooperation of the athletes involved. The most common suspensions are two years (16 cases) and four years (14 cases), with one-year suspensions also prevalent (14 cases). In cases where the athlete could demonstrate “No Significant Fault or Negligence,” suspensions were either reduced or eliminated. Bortolotti’s case illustrates this exception, where his prompt cooperation and credible explanation led to no suspension, highlighting that each case requires nuanced assessment.
Our data shows that the most common sanction is two years or less.
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