Flag bearer banned just hours before closing ceremony

The sprinter delivered the fourth positive drug test of Paris 2024 one day after the world watched him compete in his event.

Flag bearer banned just hours before closing ceremony

Sprinter Dominique Lasconi Mulamba, listed as one of Congo's flag bearers for the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, has tested positive for an anabolic steroid, the International Testing Agency said on Sunday.

Mulamba, who competed in the 100m, gave a sample that was positive for stanozolol metabolite, the ITA said.

That's the same steroid that sprinter Ben Johnson used at Seoul 1988.

LIVE: All the news, updates and action from the final day of Paris 2024

READ MORE: Olympic medallist disqualified after 'ridiculous mistake' in keirin

READ MORE: Dramatic five-runner photo finish decides 100m hurdles gold

Mulamba has been provisionally suspended and cannot participate in the closing ceremony, it was revealed in a statement hours before the Stade de France event was set to begin.Dominique Lasconi Mulamba

"This means that the athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity, during the Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024," the ITA's statement said.

Watch every moment, every medal of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event streaming ad free, live and on demand with 4K on Stan Sport

The sample was collected last Sunday, a day after the 22-year-old Mulamba was eliminated in the round before the semifinals when he ran 10.53 and finished seventh in his heat.

It was the fourth failed drug test at Paris 2024.

Mulamba can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The ITA's statement concluded: "Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding."