British weightlifter receives six-year ban for Anti-Doping Rule Violations

ADRV

Weightlifter Marcus Harrison has been banned from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for six years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the presence and Use of Prohibited Substances. 

On 22 October 2025, UKAD collected a urine Sample from Mr Harrison, Out-of-Competition, at the MBG Performance Centre in Preston. Analysis of Mr Harrison’s Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for boldenone and testosterone, both of exogenous origin, and their Metabolites.  

Boldenone and testosterone are listed as Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. They are prohibited at all times in sport when administered exogenously (meaning originating, derived or produced from outside the body). 

UKAD notified Mr Harrison of the AAFs and imposed a Provisional Suspension. Having received no response to the notification, UKAD subsequently charged Mr Harrison with the commission of both ADRVs. Despite multiple efforts to contact him, Mr Harrison did not respond to the charges and did not engage with UKAD.   

In UKAD’s assessment, the presence and Use of two Anabolic Androgenic Steroids amounted to ‘Aggravated Circumstances’ which justify a two-year increase to the standard four-year period of Ineligibility that would otherwise apply. 

Mr Harrison’s six-year period of Ineligibility is deemed to have commenced on 27 January 2026 (the date he was provisionally suspended by UKAD) and will expire on 26 January 2032.  

 

Notes

Please note, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meaning given to them in the UK Anti-Doping Rules and/or World Anti-Doping Code.  

The full list of Substances found in Mr Harrison’s Sample: 

  1. Boldenone of an exogenous origin and its Metabolite: 
  2.  17β-hydroxy 5β-androst-1-en-3-one 
  3. Testosterone of an exogenous origin and its Metabolites:  
  4. Androsterone 
  5. Etiocholanolone 
  6. 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol 
  7. 5β-androstane-3α, 17β-diol