Overview
- An in-competition urine test taken on 20 February 2026 detected prohibited substances in Liam Santos’s sample and led to the disciplinary case.
- The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport confirmed the sample contained metabolites of Drostanolone and Dehydrochloromethyl‑Testosterone, both Category S1 anabolic steroids that are banned at all times.
- Santos initially accepted a four-year sanction but made an early admission under SAIDS rules, which lowered his period of ineligibility to three years.
- He waived his right to a hearing so a written decision was issued and his ban runs from 24 April 2026 through 23 April 2029, barring him from all competition.
- The case is the latest public sanction by SAIDS and highlights that these steroids have long detection windows and that early admissions under the rules can shorten standard penalties.