Michael Gallagher celebrates winning gold at the London Paralympic Games in 2012 (Getty)

Michael Gallagher celebrates winning gold at the London Paralympic Games in 2012 (Getty) Source: Getty

ASADA has confirmed the provisional suspension of gold medal winning Australian paracyclist Michael Gallagher by Cycling Australia and the Australian Paralympic Committee.

Gallagher's A sample tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) at a training camp in Italy in July.

His suspension is effective immediately and he will not compete at the Rio Paralympics.

The 37-year-old won a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympics in the Individual Pursuit (C5) and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the Individual Pursuit (LC1). He also claimed bronze on the road at both these Paralympics.

The OAM recipient has a long history of medaling in road and world paracycling championships.

Statement from Cycling Australia:

Cycling Australia CEO Nick Green was made aware of the adverse analytical finding by ASADA this morning.

A positive test for erythropoietin (EPO) means that Gallagher will not compete at the Paralympics in Rio. Cycling Australia has been informed by the Australian Paralympic Committee that Gallagher has been removed from Australian Paralympic Team in Rio.

Green said today that Cycling Australia has a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ of drugs in sport and fully supports the rigorous testing done by ASADA and the action taken by the Australian Paralympic Committee.

As ASADA has an ongoing investigation into this matter, Cycling Australia will not be making further comments at this time.

Statement from ASADA:

ASADA has today confirmed that Australian Paralympic cyclist Michael Gallagher has been handed a mandatory provisional suspension by Cycling Australia and the Australian Paralympic Committee.

Mr Gallagher was tested out-of-competition at a training camp held in Italy in July. His ‘A’ sample tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO).

The test was coordinated by ASADA as part of a comprehensive pre-Rio anti-doping program to ensure the integrity of the Australian Paralympic team.

The provisional suspension is effective immediately and means Mr Gallagher will not compete at the Paralympics in Rio.

ASADA has notified the athlete of his rights in this process and will continue its investigation of the matter.

Statement from the Australian Paralympic Committee:

The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) has taken immediate action to remove Michael Gallagher from the 2016 Australian Paralympic Team in Rio.

This follows Gallagher’s mandatory provisional suspension handed down by the APC and Cycling Australia today, after ASADA confirmed Gallagher has returned a positive doping sample.

Gallagher was tested out-of-competition at a training camp held in Italy in July. His ‘A’ sample tested positive for erythropoietin.

Kate McLoughlin, Chef de Mission of the Australian Paralympic Team said: “Michael Gallagher’s position on the Australian Paralympic Cycling Team for Rio 2016 has been terminated, effectively immediately.

“The APC fiercely supports the fight against doping in sport and this is a reminder to all athletes that they will be caught if they do not comply with the rules, regardless of intent.”

A more detailed statement will be issued by the APC in due course.