In August 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Colombian Athlete John Tello Zuniga after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO).

Following notification the Athlete timely admitted the violation in November 2023, waived his right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.

The AIU deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Because he had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form he received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 13 December 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 25 August 2023.

In September 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Rwandan Athlete John Hakizimana after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Triamcinolone acetonide.

Following notification the Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance whereas he assumed that his supplements had caused the positive test. Ultimately he admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU. 

The AIU determines that the prohibited substance was not listed on the labels of the Athlete's supplements. Moreover he failed to provide additional information to the AIU, nor were these supplements analysed for the presence of Triamcinolone acetonide.

Further the AIU considers that there was no evidence that the violation was intentional. Because he had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form he received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 28 November 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 27 October 2023.

In July 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Ugandees Athlete Janat Chemusto after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone). Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in her defence.

The Athlete asserted with medical documents that the prescribed medication she had used for her condition probably were the source of the prohibited substance. Yet, the AIU concluded that her medication could not explain the presence of Nandrolone in her sample.

The AIU determined that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. As a result the AIU offered the Athlete a 1 year reduction when she timely returned a signed Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form.

Following reminders by the AIU in October 2023 the Athlete ultimately returned the Admission Form 3 days beyond the set deadline. Thereupon she failed to demonstrate with evidence that her signed Admission Form indeed had been completed on or before the date of the deadline.

The AIU establishes that the Athlete failed to respond and to  confirm that she disputed the consequences of the violation in her case by the deadlines specified by the AIU. Accordingly the Athlete is deemed to have waived her right to a hearing and accepted the consequences.

Therefore the AIU decides on 17 November 2023 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 13 July 2023.

Related case:

ADAK 2019 ADAK vs James Mwangi Wangari
September 23, 2020

23 September 2020 the Kenyan Sports Disputes Tribunal decided to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete James Mwangi Wangari after his sample tested posive for the prohibted substance Testosterone.

Hereafter in December 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported a new anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after he tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone).

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the World Athletitcs Disciplinary Tribunal.

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. He alleged that a contaminated supplement had caused the positive test result and that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.

He asserted that without success he made diligent attempts to establish the source of the prohibited substance. Because of the costs he was also unable to request analysis of his B sample.

World Athletics contended that the Athlete had committed a second anti-doping rule violation and failed to demonstrate with corroborating evidence that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence. Because of the high concentration established in the sample his violation is deemed to be intentional.

The Sole Arbitrator Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed a second anti-doping rule violation. The Panel deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional.

The Sole Arbitrator considers that there is no corroborating evidence about the contamination theorie. Moreover the Sole Arbitrator agrees that the high concentration found in the Athlete's sample can only be consistent with the administration of a Nandrolone injection.

Therefore the Disciplinary Tribunal decides on 7 December 2023 to impose an 8 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 21 December 2022.

In October 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete James Gikunga Karanja after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone Nandrolone.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. Thereupon the Athlete failed to respond to the communications and the AIU established that he had violated the provisional suspension through his participation into a competition in November 2023.

The AIU concludes that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Because he did not respond within the set deadline the AIU determines that he was deemed to have admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing and accepted the consequences.

Therefore the AIU decides on 25 January 2024 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

In December 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Hosea Kimeli Kisorio after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO).

Following notification the Athlete initially failed to respond to the communications of the AIU. Ultimately in January 2024 the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.

The AIU deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Because he had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form he received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 18 January 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 1 December 2023.

In October 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Fouad Idbafdil after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO).

Following notification the Athlete admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU. 

Because he had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form he received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 6 December 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 30 October 2023.

In September 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf on World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Uzbek Athlete Farida Soliyeva after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium.

Following notification the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived her right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU.

The Athlete explained that in March 2023 she had used Ripronate (Meldonium) capsuls without a prescription. Further she demonstrated with medical documents that in late March 2023 after consultation she had received Meldonium injections for her diagnosed condition.

The AIU deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Because she had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 8 April 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 13 September 2023.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported two anti-doping rule violations against the Ethiopian Athlete Fantu Eticha Jimma for the presence of the prohibited substance Recombinant Erythropoietin (rhEPO):

• In April 2023 regarding her 2nd sample collected in Hong Kong in February 2023;
• In June 2023 regarding her 1st sample collected in Doha, Qatar, in January 2023.

Following the first notification in April 2023 regarding her 2nd sample a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete submitted a statement in her defence. She alleged that she underwent medical treatment in Ethiopia by a doctor in a hospital with medication described to her as vitamins.

Following the second notification in June 2023 regarding her 1st sample the Athlete admitted both anti-doping rule violations, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.

The AIU determines that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that she did not knowingly had committed the anti-doping rule violations. It also deems that there are aggravating circumstances in this case that justifies the imposition of a sanction of 6 years.

Further the AIU rules that the Athlete's 1st and 2nd positive test result shall be considered as one single anti-doping rule violation. Because the Athlete signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 26 July 2023 to impose a 5 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 4 April 2023.

In September 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Esther Birundu Borura after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone).

Following notification the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU. She stated that she had purchased and injected the substance.

The AIU deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Because she had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 23 November 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 6 September 2023.