European steeplechase runner silver medallist tests positive for banned substance
Italy's Ahmed Abdelwahed, 26, provisionally suspended
![](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6580012.1662998494!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_1180/abdelwahed-ahmed-220819-1180.jpg?im=Resize%3D780)
European Championship steeplechase silver medallist Ahmed Abdelwahed has been suspended after testing positive for meldonium, the Athletics Integrity Unit said Monday.
The endurance-boosting heart medication has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2016. Athletes testing positive for it early that year included tennis star Maria Sharapova, who served a 15-month ban.
Abdelwahed's case was announced three weeks after he finished second in the 3,000-metre steeplechase at the European track championships in Munich, Germany.
The AIU did not say when the 26-year-old Italian runner tested positive. He has been provisionally suspended while a disciplinary case gets prepared.
Abdelwahed placed 14th in the Olympic steeplechase last year in Tokyo.