Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of Union Cycliste Internationale to sanction athlete Julie Barnett for the presence of the metabolite of a prohibited substance and use of a prohibited substance. Ms Barnett returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an in-competition doping control test at the UCI Masters Track Cycling World Championships on 16 October 2019.

Analysis of her sample detected the presence of Bishydroxy-metabolite (metabolite of LGD-4033). LGD-4033 is prohibited in and out-of-competition under the S1 Class of Anabolic Agents.

Union Cycliste Internationale imposed a 15-month ban on Ms Barnett commencing 22 November 2019. She was eligible to return to competition on 22 February 2021.

Additional information on the prohibited substance

LGD-4033, originally developed for the treatment of muscle wasting conditions such as aging, osteoporosis, muscular dystrophy and cancer, is promoted as a selective non-steroidal anabolic agent. It is claimed to be a substance that induces muscle (and bone) growth without the side effects associated with steroid use.

However, information on the safety of LGD-4033 is scarce due to a lack of medium and long-term clinical trials – hence the medium and long-term health impacts are unknown. It should be noted that a number of SARMs have associated health-risks, particularly for the heart and liver.

• This media release was published by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) on 1 April 2021. Click here for the original.