In February 2023 the South African Institute for Drugfree Sport (SAIDS) reported 2 anti-doping rule violations against the Athlete Paul Ramolefi Motsieloa:
- Presence of the prohibited substance Dexamethasone; and
- Tampering when he identified himself at the Marathon in September 2022 with race number #169 during Doping Control using the false name Thabo Ntoko.
Following notification the Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the SAIDS Anti-Doping Panel. The Athlete denied all the charges and alleged that he was never tested at the Marathon.
SAIDS contended that there was sufficient evidence that at the Marathon the Athlete had used a false name during sample collection. After an investigation into the name Thabo Ntoko several witnesses and sports officials had confirmed that Thabo Ntoko in fact was the Athlete Ramolefi Motsieloa who had participated at the Marathon with race number #169.
In view of the evidence the Panel concludes that the Athlete had tampered with any part of the Doping Control at the Marathon and had committed a second anti-doping rule violation. Therefore the Panel decides on 10 June 2023 to impose an 8 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
