SEYCHELLOIS weightlifter Charles Siméon has tested positive for a banned substance, according to reports from the African Weightlifting Federation.

Siméon, a triple gold medals – snatch (100kg), clean and jerk 135kg) and total (235kg) – in the junior category of the 69-kg division of the African Weightlifting Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, earlier this year, was tested after the competition and the results have proved to be positive.

There is no immediate information as to what kind of steroid he has tested positive for, but he becomes the first Seychellois sportsman or woman to fail a drugs test.

According to Mr Patrick Nanty, the principal secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Sports and Culture (MLGSC), the African Weightlifting Federation informed them of the positive test less than two weeks ago and because Siméon only returned home on Saturday July 20 from South Africa, they were still to meet him to discuss the matter.

Siméon, who is likely to serve a two-year ban, also won two silver medals (clean and jerk as well as total) and a bronze (snatch) at the African Weightlifting Championship in the senior category.

Siméon learned of his positive test while in South Africa on a training camp along with fellow lifters Janet Thélermont, Steven Baccus and Frank Accouche who were preparing for the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, from July 25 to August 4.

His participation in the quadrennial Games was immediately forfeited.

It is to be noted that an Egyptian lifter, Abdul Al Wahab Mahmoud, who also won three gold medals in the junior 85-kg category, also tested positive.