site.btaOlympic Medalist Bozhidar Andreev Tests Positive for Doping

Bulgarian weightlifter Bozhidar Andreev has tested positive for doping, the International Testing Agency reported on Wednesday.

A sample collected during an out-of-competition testing mission on October 15 has established the presence of the prohibited substance erolone metabolite.

Mesterolone is prohibited under the 2025 WADA Prohibited List as S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). It is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and is a non-specified substance. Mesterolone is known for its potent androgenic properties by increasing testosterone levels and enhancing male sexual characteristics.

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 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.

28-year-old Bozhidar Andreev is a two-time European champion in the 73 kg category from Batumi 2019 and Sofia 2024. He achieved his greatest success at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where he won a bronze medal, also in the 73 kg category. He is also the champion of the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing 2014 in the 69 kg category.

After winning the award in the French capital in August last year, Andreev announced his retirement from the sport, but this summer he announced that he was considering a comeback and starting training for the European Championships in Batumi in April 2026.

His coach Plamen Bratoychev confirmed to the Sega newspaper that the athlete had been tested twice at home - in mid- and late October - with only the first test coming back positive. According to him, the weightlifter has already provided written explanations to the ITA regarding the reasons for the presence of mesterolone in his body.