Mariana Bernal, a promising 23-year-old Mexican archer, faces a three-year suspension after testing positive for nandrolone, a banned anabolic steroid, effectively ending her hopes of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced the decision on Thursday, acting on behalf of the international archery federation.

Bernal’s ban runs from December 22, 2025, through December 21, 2028, barring her from all official competitions during this period. This suspension also nullifies all her individual results from the date of sample collection until the start of her provisional suspension on December 22, 2025. Notably, she loses the gold medal she won at the Nanjing 2025 Archery World Cup final in October.

While the ban could have been longer, Bernal received a one-year reduction for her early admission of the anti-doping violation, a factor the ITA highlighted in its statement. The agency explained that nandrolone enhances muscle mass, strength, and recovery capacity, giving athletes an unfair advantage.

Archery has been a significant source of Olympic medals for Mexico, contributing four silver and two bronze medals since 2012. Bernal’s suspension is a setback not only for her career but also for Mexico’s hopes in this sport.

As the country looks ahead to the 2028 Olympics, this case underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining fair play in sports and the importance of clean competition. For Mexican athletes and fans alike, it’s a reminder of the high stakes involved in the pursuit of Olympic glory.