British Paralympic cyclist Daphne Schrager has received a two-year anti-doping ban after testing positive for Ligandrol, a banned muscle-building substance. The suspension, which has been back-dated to 2 June 2025, will run until 1 June 2027, effectively removing her from competition during a critical period of the Paralympic calendar.
The timing of the ban carries significant consequences for Schrager’s competitive schedule. The suspension means she will miss the upcoming Commonwealth Games, a major international event for British athletes. However, the back-dating of her ban creates a pathway for a potential return, as she could be eligible to compete at the 2028 Paralympics when her sanction concludes.
Ligandrol is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) classified as a banned substance due to its performance-enhancing properties in building muscle mass and strength—attributes that can provide substantial advantages in athletic competition.
Athlete’s Response
Schrager has maintained her innocence regarding the positive test. “I have never cheated, nor have I ever knowingly taken any banned substance,” the Paralympic cyclist stated, expressing her position on the doping violation. Her statement reflects the complexity that sometimes surrounds anti-doping cases, where athletes may contest the circumstances surrounding positive results.
The ban represents a substantial interruption to Schrager’s career at the Paralympic level. With the suspension backdated to this June, she has already begun serving the penalty, meaning approximately two years remain on her sanction. The conclusion of her ban in mid-2027 would theoretically allow sufficient preparation time before the 2028 Paralympic Games, should she choose to pursue a return to competition at that time.