Related cases:

• United States vs Eric Lira - Complaint
  December 29, 2021
• World Athletics 2021 WA vs Blessing Okagbare (1)
  February 14, 2022
• World Athletics 2021 WA vs Blessing Okagbare (2)
  June 23, 2022
  
  

Mr Eric Lira alleged to be a kinesiologist and naturopathic doctor in the United States, operating principally in and around El Paso, Texas. He obtained prohibited substances, and other, prescription drugs from sources in Central and South America, before bringing those drugs into the United States and distributing them to, among other, two athletes referred to in the incriminating evidence as Athlete-1 and Athlete-2.

In July 2022 criminal federal charges were filed against Mr Lira under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act for obtaining various performance enhancing drugs and distributed those drugs to certain athletes. On 8 May 2023 Mr. Lira pleaded guilty to these federal charges.

Ms Blessing Okagbare (identified as Athlete-1) is a Nigerian Athlete who tested positive in July 2021 for the prohibited substances Recombinant Erythropoietin (rhEPO) and Human Growth Hormone (hGH).

In the anti-doping case against the Ms Okagbare the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) evidence regarding the case in the United States against Mr Lira, involved in the distribution of prohibited substances to two athletes.

The FBI had also scanned Ms Okagbare's mobile telephone in August 2021 and incriminating text and voice messages send to Mr Lira showed clearly the Athlete's purchase of hGH and rhEPO. Further these messages revealed her evasion and tampering of sample collection in June 2021 resulting in a confirmed Missed Test.

Finally in two Decisions - rendered on 14 February 2021 and on 23 June 2022 - a total 11 year period of ineligibility was imposed on the Athlete for presence, use and tampering.

The Nigerian Athlete Divine Oduduru in this case was identified by the FBI in their investigations as Athlete-2. His name and involvement in doping was revealed in the evidence against Mr Lira and his distribution of prohibited substances to these two Nigerian athletes.

In July 2021, while Divine Oduduru was abroad in Europe for training, an associate (Individual-1) of both Nigerian athletes was requested by Oduduru to gather some belongings in his residence in Florida and to transfer those belongings to a near-by storge facility.

Inside the Athlete's residence in Jacksonville and in his storage facility Individual-1 found and photographed packages and vials containing various performance enhancing drugs. Thereupon Individual-1 provided those photographs as evidence to USADA and the FBI.

In view of the evidence against the Mr Divine Oduduru the AIU deemed that he was using or attempting to use multiple prohibed substances. These substances were provided to the Athlete by Eric Lira and also on occasion by Ms Okagbare, whereas Ms Okagbare was at times acting as a go-between for the Athlete with Eric Lira.

Consequently in February 2023 the AIU reported anti-doping rule violations against the Athlete Oduduru for possession and use of the prohibited substances Erythropoietin (EPO), Human Growth hormone (hGH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1).

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and in May 2023 he was heard for the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal.

The Athlete completely denied that multiple prohibited substances had been found in his residence. He also denied any contact with Mr Lira, neither that Ms Okabare was procuring prohibited substances on his behalf from Mr. Lira.

Instead the Athlete alleged that he had been sabotaged by Individual-1, his coach and his team. Furthermore the Athlete denied having used any prohibited substance while he had been tested before without issues.

In this case the Panel addressed the following issues:

• 1. Did the Athlete commit an ADRV under Rule 2.6 ADR (Possession of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method)?
• 2. Did the Athlete commit an ADRV under Rule 2.2 ADR (Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited substance or a Prohibited Method)?
• 3. What are the Consequences of those ADRV?
• 4. Are there Aggravating Circumstances that justify increase of the period of Ineligibility?

Following assessment the Panel ultimately determines that:

• The Athlete committed the anti-doping rule violations for possession and attemped use.
• The imposed sanction is a period of ineligibility of 4 years including a period of disqualification.
• It is fair and proportionate to increase the Athlete's sanction for additional 2 years.
• The Athlete is ordered to pay a contribution to World Athletics towards the legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with these proceedings.

Therefore the Panel decides on 18 September 2023 that:

1.) The Disciplinary Tribunal has jurisdiction to decide on the subject matters of this dispute.

2.) The Athlete has committed ADRVs under Rules 2.6 and 2.2 ADR and these shall be considered together as one single first violation.

3.) A period of Ineligibility of six (6) years is imposed upon the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 9 February 2023.

4.) The Athlete’s results from 12 July 2021 until 9 February 2023, shall be disqualified with all resulting consequences.

In February 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Daisy Cherotich after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance recombinant Erythropoietin (rhEPO).

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. Initially the Athlete failed to respond to the AIU communications. Ultimately in July 2023 the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived her 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 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 19 October 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 21 February 2023.

In July 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Charles Karanja Kamau after his sample tested positive for Testosterone and its metabolites.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and he was heard for the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal.

In this case there were delays attributed to the Athlete. He failed to communicate properly with his pro bono counsel, nor did he file a statement in his defence within the set deadline.

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. He stated that he only had used medication and supplements which he had mentioned on the Doping Control Form.

The Athlete acknowledged that he had not checked his supplements for banned substances, nor had he consulted experts in this matter. For his supplements he followed the recommendations from his manager, a friend and a nutritionist.

The AIU requested the Tribunal to impose a sanction of 4 years and contended that the Athlete had failed to demonstrate the source of the prohibited substance. Furthermore the AIU considered that the Athlete's supplements did not contain Testosterone, neither were these supplements tested.

The Sole Arbitrator finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he had committed an anti-doping rule violation.

In view of the evidence and the Athlete's conduct in this case the Sole Arbitrator deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate  that the violation was not intentional. He also deems that he acted negligently with the supplements.

Therefore the Disciplinary Tribunal decides on 12 February 2024 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 4 July 2023.

In February 2024 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kazakh Kenyan Athlete Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui. The AIU deemed that the Athlete had 3 Whereabouts Failures within a 12 month period:

• a Filing Failure on 9 February 2023;
• a Missed Test and Filing Failure on 19 June 2023; and
• a Missed Test and Filing Failure on 27 November 2023.

Although the Athlete submitted her explanations to the AIU the Whereabouts Failures were recorded. In any case the Athlete did not file a request for an adminstrative review.

Following notification the Athlete gave a timely admission, waived her right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU. Furthermore she signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences Form.

Therefore the AIU decides on 7 March 2024 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 21 February 2024.

Related case:

World Athletics 2019 WA vs Carina Horn
September 10, 2021

Previously on 10 September 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for World Athletics decided to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the South African Athlete Carina Horn, after she tested positive for the prohibited substances Ibutamoren and LGD-4033 (ligandrol).

Hereafter in June 2022 the Basque Anti-Doping Agency reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Clenbuterol.

Consequently on 13 March 2023 the Basque public authorities decided to impose a 6 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete for her second anti-doping rule violation.

Thereupon the Athlete's appeal was dismissed by the Basque public authorities and the AIU was informed about the imposed sanction.

Because the Basque public authorities are not a Signatory of the WADA Code the AIU investigated whether the Basque Decision and the Basque Anti-Doping Act were consistent with the WADA Code.

Following assessment the AIU deemed that the Basque Anti-Doping Act is consistent with the WADA Code in all its material aspects. Accordingly the Basque Decision regarding Carina Horn must be implemented by World Athletics, the AIU and member federations.

Therefore the AIU decides on 2 August for implementation of a 6 year period of ineligibility imposed on the Athlete Carine Horn for her second anti-doping rule violation, starting on 13 March 2023.

In January 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on behalf of World Athletics reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Ethiopian Athlete Besha Teshome after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Testosterone and its metabolites.

After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU. The Athlete explained that he had self-medicated with Testosterone as treatment for his medical condition.

Because the Athlete 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 11 May 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 16 January 2023.

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

Following notification the Athlete initially failed to respond to the AIU communication. 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 19 January 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 22 December 2023.

In September 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Italian Athlete Ahmed Abdelwahed after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium.

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

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance, he argued that the concentration in his sample was very low, and he assumed that his supplements through biotransformation had caused the positive test. However analysis in a laboratory of his supplements and hair did not reveal the presence of Meldonium.

The AIU contended that the presence of a prohibited substance properly had been established in the Athlete's sample and that the B sample had confirmed the A sample. There is no evidence of supplement contamination and the AIU rejected the Athlete's alleged biotransformation theory.

The Panel assessed and addressed the evidence of the parties and their expert witnesses and determines that:

• The presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's samples and accordingly he committed an anti-doping rule violation.
• The Athlete failed to produce convincing evidence about the biotransformation theory.
• The Athlete failed to demonstrate that he acted with No Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the Panel decides on 5 December 2023 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 7 September 2023.

In August 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Agness Jeruto Barsosio after an AIU Expert Panel concluded unanimously in April 2023 in their Joint Expert Opinion that the Athlete’s hematological profile “highly likely” showed that she 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 10 July 2013 until 30 November 2022 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 July 2023.

Thereupon the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived her 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 a prohibited substance or a prohibited method and that she failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional.

The AIU determines that there are aggravating circumstances present in this case and that she had breached the provisional suspension because of her participation into a marathon in August 2023. Further the AIU considers that the Athlete gave an early admission and acceptance of sanction.

Therefore the AIU decides on 11 February 2022 to impose a 5 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

In June 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on behalf of World Athletics reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Ethiopian Athlete Ana Ebesie Ayele Balcha after her sample tested positive for prohibited Testosterone metabolites and adiols.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete could not explain the positive test result and accepted the consequences.

Ultimately in August 2023 the Athlete gave a timely admission, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.

Because the Athlete 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 22 August 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 12 December 2022.