In January 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Moroccan Athlete Aziz Lahbabi after an AIU Expert Panel concluded unanimously in July 2021 in their Joint Expert Opinion that the Athlete’s hematological profile “highly likely” showed that he used a prohibited substance or a prohibited method: the use of EPO or Blood doping.
This conclusion of the AIU Expert Panel was based on assessment of blood samples, collected in the period from 11 August 2013 until 15 May 2021 reported in the Athlete’s Biological Passport (ABP).
After notification the Athlete submitted an explanation with documentation for the abnormal values in his ABP. However after consideration the Expert Panel rejected the Athlete’s explanations in their 2nd Joint Expert Opinion in September 2021.
Thereupon the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU.
The AIU deems that the anomalies in the Athlete's ABP were caused by blood doping and that he failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Further the AIU considers that he gave an early admission and acceptance of sanction.
Therefore the AIU decides on 11 February 2022 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 23 December 2021.