Between November 2018 and July 2021 four Vietnamese weightlifters affiliated with the Vietnam Weightlifting Federation (WFV) tested positive for prohibited substances and a sanction of 4 years was imposed. These four violations occurred during the Qualification Period of the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.
Consequently the International Testing Agency (ITF), on behalf of the IWF, charged the WFV of breaching Article 4(a) of the IWF Olympic Qualification System (OQS) regarding the Tokyo Olympic Games. The case was referred to the IWF Independent Member Federations Sanctioning Panel.
The IWF contended that 4 anti-doping rule violations had been established during the Qualification Period and that the WFV as Member Federation had violated the IWF OQS Rules. The IWF requested the Panel to reduced the WFV's quota places from participation in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The WFV asserted that due to limited funding it had not control of the four athletes at the time they committed the anti-doping rule violations. Further the WFV argued that allowing the WFV to compete at the Olympic Games would result in more funding for the development of weightlifting in Vietnam.
Considering the evidence the IWF Panel concludes that the WFV has breached Article 4(a) of the IWF OQS due to 4 anti-doping rule violations occurred during the Qualification Period. The Panel finds that the WFV should not be suspended from participation in the Olympic Games, yet to reduce the WFV's quota places.
Therefore the IWF Paneld decides on 4 July 2021:
- The Weightlifting Federation of Vietnam has committed a breach of Article 4(a) of the IWF OQS.
- The Weightlifting Federation of Vietnam’s quotas for the Tokyo Olympic games shall be reduced from six to two (one 1 male and 1 female).
