UPDATE 14 December 2024: Louis Walker’s ban has been extended 1.5 years after an additional anti-doping violation.

United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) announced that amateur age group triathlete Louis Walker, 29, has been banned from sport for 3 years after his girlfriend (now ex-girlfriend) reported that he used the banned substance Clenbuterol.

According to UKAD:

“On 6 February 2023, Mr Walker’s partner at the time, Ms Bland, found a blister pack of Clenoxin tablets (containing the Prohibited Substance Clenbuterol) in his car. She immediately confronted him, at which point Mr Walker admitted he had been taking the substance over the previous two weeks.

Ms Bland immediately informed Mr Mills, Mr Walker’s coach, about what she had found. Mr Mills spoke to Mr Walker on 8 February 2023 about the incident, and then reported the matter to UKAD.

Mr Walker was interviewed by UKAD on 3 April 2023. He admitted to taking Clenbuterol after completing research on the internet about its effects. He indicated that he had been experiencing difficult personal circumstances at the time and wanted to take something that assist him in loosing weight, as he was concerned about his body image.”

Four weeks later Walker competed in the World Triathlon Duathlon World Championships in Ibiza, Spain, finishing 32nd out of 34 competitors with a time of 1:06:28 in the Male 25-29 Age Group – over 12 minutes behind the winner.

Banned in sport at all times, Clenbuterol is an anabolic agent that is prescribed to treat asthma, however, it has been widely abused by endurance athletes as a performance enhancing steroid drug.  Clenbuterol is particularly advantageous for endurance athletes as it helps burn off fat, increases lean body mass and improves stamina by allowing more oxygen to move through the blood stream. Alberto Contador is the most famous athlete caught using it, earning him a two year ban and loss of two Grand Tour titles – 2010 Tour de France and 2011 Giro d’Italia.

Walker is banned from participating in sport in any capacity until 26 September 2026

Gran Fondo Daily reached out to Walker’s ex-girlfriend who said via email, “I deeply condone Louis’ actions and do not wish to be associated with him any further.”

Photo Credit: UKAD

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