UPDATE 26 JUNE 2025: Carlos Daniel Echeverri Cardona has been banned for 3 years, until 7 November 2026, by the UCI for the anti-doping violation.

The UCI announced Colombian cyclist Carlos Daniel Echeverri Cardona has been provisionally suspended after returning a positive anti-doping test result for the banned substance Ligandrol.

The 24 year-old track specialist tested positive at the October 2023 Pan American Games held on the Velodromo Penalolen in Santiago, Chile, where he won a silver medal in the team sprint.

Echevarri is the second athlete in less than a week to be accused of Ligandrol doping. Swiss triathlete Imogen Simmonds tested positive in December and claims the banned drug entered her body via the exchange of fluids during sexual intercourse.

Ligandrol, also known as LGD-4033, is a non-steroidal oral Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) banned at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency.  It was originally developed to treat muscle wasting conditions associated with osteoporosis, aging, cancer, and muscular dystrophy. 

Not legally available as a physician prescribed medication anywhere in the world, Ligandrol has been found “off label” in unregulated dietary supplements. Although there is little clinical trial data (and safety information), athletes believe Ligandrol may significantly increase lean muscle mass without the side effects of steroids.

Photo Credit: FCC/Carlos Cruz

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