Jarrion Lawson, a 24-year old American sprinter and long jumper, has tested positive for a metabolite of the anabolic steroid trenbolone. The metabolite was identified as epitrenbolone according to an announcement published on Twitter by the International Association of Athletics Federation’s Athletics Integrity Unit (IAAF-AIU) on August 31, 2018.
“AIU confirms a Provisional Suspension against #USA #sprinter and #jumper Jarrion Lawson for the presence of epitrenbolone, a violation of Article 2.1 of the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules.”
AIU confirms a Provisional Suspension against #USA #sprinter and #jumper Jarrion Lawson for the presence of epitrenbolone, a violation of Article 2.1 of the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules #AIUNews #trackandfield #athletics Find out more: https://t.co/Cq4Q2MR0LJ
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) August 31, 2018
The steroid positive notice was posted less than 48 hours after the main IAAF Twitter account shared a promotional article about the meteoric rise of Jarrion Lawson.
Despite setbacks, Jarrion Lawson's rise continues.
More with @JarrionL, the 2017 world championships silver medallist in the long jump: https://t.co/j1rddKrIMj pic.twitter.com/nbK0ZQqgQQ— IAAF (@iaaforg) April 29, 2018
Lawson was considered one of the top up-and-coming track and field athletes for the United States. He gained national attention when he won the 100-meters, 200-meters and long jump at the 2016 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships as a member of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks team in Eugene, Oregon in June 2016. The only other athlete to win three events was the legendary Jesse Owens.
Lawson turned professional at the conclusion of the 2016 season in the NCAA. Lawson then qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro where he placed fourth in the long jump. He won the silver medal in the long jump at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in London in August 2017.
The details surrounding Lawson’s trenbolone positive have not yet been released by the IAAF-AIU. Lawson has been provisionally suspended pending the final decision at a disciplinary hearing conducted under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules. If the potential anti-doping rules violation is upheld, Lawson would face a four-year period of ineligibility as the penalty for a first-time violator.
First win of the season last night in Paris, France! London Diamond League, I see you ? #asics #asicsteam #longjump #godspeed pic.twitter.com/KX5sWyv3Bs
— Jarrion Lawson (@JarrionL) July 18, 2018