Weightlifting Athlete Suspended for the Presence of Methyl-1-Testosterone
Sport Integrity Canada announced today that Polina Bespalova, a weightlifting athlete, received a three-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation. The athlete’s urine samples, collected out of competition on November 6, 2025, and in competition on November 22, 2025, both revealed the presence of methyl-1-testosterone, a prohibited anabolic agent.
On June 8, 2026, the athlete signed an Early Admission and Acceptance of Sanction, thereby admitting to the violation and accepting the asserted period of ineligibility and all other consequences. As a result, the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility was reduced by one year in accordance with Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) rule 10.8.1. Because a provisional suspension was imposed on the athlete, the sanction ends on December 17, 2028.
During the sanction period, the athlete is ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the CADP or the World Anti-Doping Code, including coaching or training with teammates, athletes, or any other individuals subject to these rules.
In compliance with rule 8.4 of the CADP, Sport Integrity Canada’s file outcome summary can be found in the Canadian Sport Sanction Registry.
About the Prohibited List
The Prohibited List is an international standard identifying substances and methods that are prohibited in sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency is responsible for the preparation and publication of the List, which it updates every year. Learn more about the Prohibited List and check the status of any medication.
About Sport Integrity Canada
Sport Integrity Canada is an independent, national, not-for-profit organization that works to protect and promote the integrity of sport in Canada. Through the administration of our programs, including the CADP and the Canadian Safe Sport Program, we strive to ensure sport is safe, clean, and fair. Under the CADP rules, Sport Integrity Canada makes public every anti-doping rule violation. For more information, visit sportintegrity.ca and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or Bluesky.
The original press release can be found here: https://sportintegrity.ca/news/weightlifting-athlete-suspended-presence-methyl-1-testosterone
