The 2022 Winter Olympics came to a close on Sunday, but Spanish skater Laura Barquero faces a fight for her innocence after becoming the fourth athlete at the Games to fail a doping test.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on Tuesday that pairs skater Barquero tested positive for the banned substance clostebol, a synthetic androgenic steroid with the potential to boost physical performance.
It's understood the sample in question was submitted following the event's short program on Friday (Feb. 18).
Barquero, 20, and partner Marco Zandron placed 11th in both the short program and free skating portion to finish 11th overall.
"The athlete has been informed. She has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample," read a statement from the ITA.
"The matter will thereafter be referred to the anti-doping division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for adjudication under the IOC [International Olympic Committee] anti-doping rules applicable to the Olympic Games Beijing 2022.
"Given that the case is under way, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding."
Barquero is the fourth athlete to test positive for a banned substance at these Winter Olympics, where Great Britain finished with just two medals (one gold and one silver).
She follows in the footsteps of Ukrainian duo Valentyna Kaminska (cross-country skiing) and Lidiia Hunko (bobsleigh), as well as Iranian alpine skier Hossein Saveh Shemshaki, each of whom also failed doping tests.
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva became the major story of these Winter Games when it emerged she had failed a drugs test prior to winning team gold in Beijing.
However, her sample related to a test conducted back on December 25, 2021, while her young age has also led to complications concerning Valieva's extra rights.
The teenager tested positive for the anginal drug trimetazidine, which can allow for more blood flow to the user's heart.
Barquero's case is more cut and dry considering she and partner Zandron didn't get near the medal places in their event, though she will still have a chance to appeal should she wish.
The young talent has represented Spain at two World Championships (2018/19) and is a four-time national champion with three different partners (2018-21).
