Lefteris Theofanidis Handed 4-Year CrossFit Ban

Lefteris Theofanidis has been slapped with a four-year ban from CrossFit competition after he tested positive for a banned substance. 

The failed drugs test occurred at the Dubai CrossFit Championship before being first announced in January, and CrossFit Headquarters have now confirmed that the substance found in Theofanidis’ body was an anabolic steroid called 19-norandrosterone.

Having dominated the top of the leaderboard for the first four weeks of this season’s Open in October and November, Theofanidis eventually finished third, only missing out on first place because of a below-par last round.

After the failed test was reported, the 30-year-old reacted by posting “I don’t give a shit” on Instagram.

The Greek champion had launched an appeal, but the appeal process is now complete, which could mean that British athlete Elliott Symonds, who finished 24th at The Open benefits with a Games invite through the backlog system depending on who declines their place.

CrossFit HQ also confirmed that Alanna Fisk Colon has been granted an extension on her appeal after she tested positive for a banned substance at the Wodapalooza CrossFit Festival.

Fisk Colon had qualified for her first Games at The Open, having finished 21st and then benefitted from Annie Thorisdottir declining her place after announcing she was pregnant.

The 28-year-old is still clinging to hopes of being reinstated, although she remains banned from competing while the appeal process is completed.