The Swedish Athletics Association writes on its website that the 34-year-old runner, who has competed in Sweden since 2018, is being banned for having taken the banned substance meldonium.
Russom has been part of the top tier in Sweden and has, among other things, won twelve Swedish Championship gold medals.
"Extremely negative"
"It's deeply unfortunate. Even though Samuel doesn't represent Sweden, he has become a big name in Swedish club athletics. The fact that he gets caught for doping is extremely negative for him personally, but also for athletics in general. The fight against doping is central and Swedish athletics has zero tolerance for all forms of doping and the use of performance-enhancing drugs", says the Swedish Athletics Association's Secretary General David Fridell.
Samuel Russom, who is from Eritrea, lacks Swedish citizenship and has never competed for Sweden.
The association warns
Russom claims that he got the doping-classified substance through a health supplement and that it was an unintentional rule violation. Anti-Doping Sweden initially banned Russom for four years, but the suspension period has been reduced to three years since the runner himself took responsibility.
The Hässelby runner is banned from all sports until and including June 15, 2028.
The association warns against using dietary supplements and health supplements:
"There is no scientific support for the fact that athletes with normal eating habits need supplements. And if special needs exist, it must be ensured that the athlete does not get anything banned. In the end, it's always the athlete who is ultimately responsible for what they put in their body", says Fridell.
Samuel Russom left the positive doping test on May 10 after winning the Swedish Championship in the half marathon. Later in May, he also won the Swedish Championship gold in the marathon, but now he is being stripped of both titles.
Instead, the Swedish Championship gold in the half marathon goes to Örgryte's Samuel Tsegay, while Kristofer Låås, Keep Up RC, becomes the gold medalist in the marathon.
