IWF Reporting Norik Vardanian Has Failed A Drug Test

By
Brian Spin
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647
Norik Vardanian at 2016 Olympic Trials
Photo Credit: Lifting Life (Andrew Blaida)

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) is reporting that Norik [sic] Vardanyan (ARM) failed a drug test. The Adverse Analytical Finding is for Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, an anabolic agent.

Norik Vardanian, as he is known today in the United States, competed for Armenia in the 2012 London Olympics under the name, Norayr Vardanyan. He placed 11th in the 94kg weight class, although after disqualifications sits in 5th.

Because the IWF is reporting Vardanian as Armenian, this could potentially be another result of the IOC’s reanalysis testing of the 2008 and 2012 samples. The public disclosure, released today, does not indicate when the sample was taken.

Vardanian has been provisionally suspended as a result of the Adverse Analytical Finding. Vardanian withdrew from the 2016 Pan American Championships due to a back injury. He had surgery on July 13 to repair a herniated disk.

As many of you may know,  I withdrew from the Pan American championships a few weeks ago  due to a back injury. The injury occurred right before I was supposed to head out to Colombia.  Although it was a tough decision for me to make, I feel the right one was made. My general health is the most important to me. The diagnosis of my injury is a herniated disk. I have decided to go ahead with surgery in order to come back stronger. I do plan on training for the next 4 years. The last 2 training cycles I had were some of the best in my career. It is very unfortunate that my quad had to end this way but this is sports and anything can happen. I want to thank all my sponsors and everyone who has supported me. I appreciate you all.

A photo posted by Norik Vardanian (@norikvardanian) on