Iranian rider hit with seven-year-and-six-month ban for doping

Rahim Emami has been given a lengthy suspension after testing positive, effectively ending his cycling career

An amateur racer has been banned for doping

(Image credit: Yuzuru Sunada)

Former Iranian cycling national champion Rahim Emami has been suspended from competition for seven years and six months for failing an anti-doping test.

The 34-year-old Pishgaman Cycling Team rider returned a positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroid at the Jelajah Malaysia stage race on October 18 2016. The suspension was published on the UCI's current list of anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) sanctions.

As his suspension expires on May 24 2024, when Emami will be 42, the ban effectively ends his professional cycling career.

>>> Entire Iranian team banned after second rider tests positive

Emami's positive previously led to a suspension for the entire UCI continental-level team for 30 days, as he was one of two of its riders had registered an ADRV within a 12-month period.

Naser Rezavi also failed a test for anabolic androgenic steroids on December 11 2015 and was given a four-year ban.

Another Iranian cyclist, Ahad Kazemi of the Tabriz Petrochemical Team, is currently serving an eight-year ban for an ADRV for testosterone from a sample taken at the 2016 Tour of Iran.

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.