Ukraine's Iaroslav Denysenko won four silver medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games ©Getty Images

The Ukrainian five-time European champion and four-time Paralympic Games medallist Iaroslav Denysenko has been banned from competition for two years after returning an adverse analytical finding for the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide and its metabolite during an out-of-competition test.

Denysenko provided the urine sample on July 26 earlier this year, and his ban implemented by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is effective from August 10, running until August 9 2023.

Results since the date of the sample have also been voided, with all medals, points and prizes forfeited.

The Para swimmer won four silver medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the S13 100 metres and 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200m medley, and clinched five golds at the European Championships in Dublin in 2018.

Denysenko is also a former world champion, triumphing in the SM13 50m freestyle in Montréal in 2013.

Iaroslav Denysenko of Ukraine has been banned for two years after an adverse analytical finding for hydrochlorothiazide ©Getty Images
Iaroslav Denysenko of Ukraine has been banned for two years after an adverse analytical finding for hydrochlorothiazide ©Getty Images

Hydrochlorothiazide is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list under the diuretics and masking agents section.

"Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in his or her sample," the IPC said.

"An ADRV [anti-doping rule violation] occurs when a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in his or her bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.

"As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels.

"The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code (Code) in compliance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, expecting that, in the spirit of sport, it will lead the fight against doping in sport for athletes with an impairment."