Queensland Rugby League bans 23-year-old league player Mitchell Farlow for doping
QRL has confirmed a three-year and eight-month period of ineligibility on a remorseful rugby league athlete for a doping violation.
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The Queensland Rugby League has confirmed a three-year and eight-month period of ineligibility Mitchell Farlow for the presence and use of prohibited substances during the 2023 season.
Farlow, 23, was playing for the Ipswich Jets at the time when he returned an ddverse analytical finding from an out of-competition doping control test on 20 March 2023. The test results can now be made public.
The sample of Farlow, who had previously represented the Norths Devils and Western Clydesdales in the Hastings Deerings Colts under-21s competition, was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory.
It was there the presence of Di-hydroxy LGD-4033 (metabolite of LGD-4033) and 4a-chloro-17b-hydroxymethyl-17a-methyl-18-nor-5a-androst-13-en-3a-ol and 4-chloro-17a-hydroxymethyl-17b-methyl-18-nor-5a-androst-13-en-3a-ol (metabolites of Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT)) were detected.
The substance LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is listed under S1.2 (Other Anabolic Agents) under the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List – 2023 (Prohibited List 2023).
The substance LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is a Non-Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times. Additionally, the substance Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT) is listed under Class S1.1 (Anabolic Androgenic Steriods (AAS)) under the Prohibited List 2023.
The substance DHCMT is a Non-Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times.
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol), originally developed for the treatment of muscle wasting conditions such as aging, osteoporosis, muscular dystrophy and cancer, is promoted as a selective non-steroidal anabolic agent.
It is claimed to be a substance that induces muscle (and bone) growth without the side effects associated with steroid use.
The three-year and eight-month ban started on 20 March, 2023 when the substances were present. This means he is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 20 November 2026. He is also not permitted to compete in a non-signatory professional league, or event organised by a non-signatory International or National level event organisation.
However Farlow has used his Instagram platform of 1625 followers to spread awareness of his mistake, take ownership of his actions and try to educate other athletes to learn from his mistake.
In an Instagram post made by Farlow on August 4, 2024, he took accountability of his actions saying: “It’s with a heavy heart that I can finally confirm that I will be banned from playing any form of competitive sport until the start of 2027. The last year and a half has been an absolute rollercoaster full of emotions, I can’t put into words how much regret I still face everyday since this happened.”
In a post he made this morning, Farlow took another chance to own his actions and warn other young athletes to make wise decisions.
“A aspect of self development I wanted to practice when this happened was transparency and honesty about this particular situation,” he said.
“I have absolutely fallen on my sword and take responsibility for my actions. I think all you know that.
“You’re probably wondering why post this? I think it’s more to send a message and raise awareness to my peers out there; to make good choices and think rationally about your decisions, to do things properly and with purpose. Especially to all the rugby league lads out there.
“What’s happened has made me a better, stronger person. I’m grateful to be put down this path to prioritise myself and look after my wellbeing, before rugby league for once. Too many times I put rugby league before me.”
Originally published as Queensland Rugby League bans 23-year-old league player Mitchell Farlow for doping
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