Team GB bobsledder Arran Gulliver fails out-of-competition drugs test – putting 2026 Winter Olympics medal hopes in serious doubt

Leading British bobsledder Arran Gulliver has failed a drugs test, casting his participation at next year’s Winter Olympics into major doubt.

The 27-year-old, a key part of the four-man bobsleigh team that has been tipped for a medal at the Games in Italy, was positive for ostarine – the same banned substance found in CJ Ujah after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, causing the men’s 4x100m relay squad to be stripped of their silver medals.

The substance, which can enhance muscle growth, was discovered in out-of-competition testing on March 2. It has not yet been confirmed if Gulliver has requested a test on his B sample, with the possibility of a two-year ban hanging over his head. Ujah was eventually given a 22-month backdated ban after authorities accepted he did not intentionally take drugs.

The British Olympic Association declined to comment, though it will be a significant blow for Team GB. Gulliver has been a regular part of Brad Hall’s four-man crew which won European gold in 2023, as well as world championship silver and bronze medals in 2023 and 2025 respectively.

The International Testing Agency, who are prosecuting the case, confirmed Gulliver has been handed a provisional suspension. 

Gulliver was also part of Hall’s quad when they won Britain won gold at the IBSF World Cup in Winterberg, Germany in January. 

A British Bobsleigh statement read: ‘We have today been informed by the International Testing Agency that bobsleigh athlete Arran Gulliver has returned an adverse analytical finding for SARMS enobosarm (ostarine) and that a mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed as a result.

‘The BBSA is committed to the eradication of doping from sport and we fully support the ITA and other anti-doping organisations in ensuring the integrity of our sport is protected.

‘As this case is currently ongoing, the BBSA will not be making any further comment at this stage.’