Gymnast Yul Moldauer Overcomes 16-Month Suspension

Moldauer's suspension tested his resolve but reinforced his love for the sport

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Yul Moldauer, a gymnast with a national title, two world championship medals, and an Olympic appearance, received a 16-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for missing three drug tests in 2024. Despite the setback, Moldauer remained determined to return to competition and pursue his goal of winning an Olympic medal.

Why it matters

Moldauer's suspension and subsequent comeback story highlights the challenges elite athletes face in maintaining their careers and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. His story also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of missing drug tests, even unintentionally, and the need for athletes to be diligent in following anti-doping protocols.

The details

Moldauer missed three drug tests during the competition season in 2024, when schedules can get hectic. He successfully passed spot tests in between the misses, but the rules are clear, and he acknowledged his responsibility. The suspension banned him from working out at USA Gymnastics-affiliated gyms and forced him to find alternative training methods, including working a factory job to fund his training at a local fitness gym.

  • Moldauer received a 16-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in 2024.
  • Moldauer will return to international competition for the first time in two years on Saturday, March 6, 2026, when he competes as part of Team USA at the reimagined American Cup in Henderson, Nevada.

The players

Yul Moldauer

A gymnast with a national title, two world championship medals, and an Olympic appearance, who received a 16-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for missing three drug tests in 2024.

Daiki Hashimoto

An Olympic and world champion gymnast who will be competing at the American Cup event.

Hezly Rivera

The reigning U.S. champion and a member of the star-laden American team that won gold at the 2024 Paris Games, who will be competing at the American Cup event.

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What they’re saying

“I've read everything online, 'Maybe Yul was doing drugs.' I have more than 10 years of being clean. It sucks. But at the end of the day, it's my responsibility.”

— Yul Moldauer (wbal.com)

“I was a little lost, I was not myself. I was depressed. I was sad. I was torn.”

— Yul Moldauer (wbal.com)

“I've always had one goal in my entire life and that is to get an Olympic medal. I told myself 'Ten years from now, if I look back and think about how healthy I felt, do I think I could have pushed another 2 1/2 years (toward the 2028 Games)?' And I would have said 'Yes, I should have done that.'”

— Yul Moldauer (wbal.com)

What’s next

Moldauer will do a couple of events at the American Cup this weekend, then head to Europe for a World Cup event where he might do 'a little more.' He plans to make upgrades to his skills this summer in hopes of making the world championship team.

The takeaway

Moldauer's story serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of elite athletes. Despite facing a significant setback, he remained committed to his goal of winning an Olympic medal, using the suspension as an opportunity to reset and come back stronger than ever. His journey reinforces the importance of perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity in the pursuit of athletic excellence.