BERLIN (AFP) - The German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB) is to carry out doping tests on all of its national team after four-time European team champion Dimitrij Ovtcharov tested positive for a banned drug.
The federation on Wednesday suspended the Ukrainian-born Ovtcharov, who was part of the Germany team that won the team title for the fourth time at last week’s European Championships in Ostrava, the Czech Republic.
According to the DTTB, the failed sample was taken at his home on August 23 and an analysis showed the presence of clenbuterol, an anabolic steroid.
The 22-year-old, who withdrew from the team event in the semi-final against France due to injury and did not participate in the individual tournament, has already asked for the B-sample to be analysed.
On Friday, DTTB president Thomas Weikert announced: “We’ll test all those the DTTB sent to the China Open to have all possible information.”
Besides players and coaches, Weikert will also be tested under the federation’s move.