In March 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics has reported an an anti-doping rule violation against the Kuwaiti Athlete Yousef Karam after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Ibutamoren.

After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by AIU. 

Therefore the AIU decides on 18 August 2021 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 30 March 2021.

Related cases:

• CAS 2017_O_5332 IAAF vs RusAF & Elena Slesarenko
  May 3, 2018
• IOC 2016 IOC vs Elena Slesarenko
  November 10, 2016

Ms. Elena Slesarenko is a Russian Athlete competing at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the Daegu 2011 IAAF World Championships and at the Moscow 2013 IAAF World Championships.

In 2016, Professor Richard McLaren issued two reports about systemic doping in Russia. These reports identified a significant number of Russian athletes who were involved in, or benefitted from, the doping schemes and practices that he uncovered. 

In 2016, both the IOC and IAAF (now: World Athletics) decided to perform further analyses on certain samples collected during the 2008 Olympic Games and during the Daegu 2011 IAAF World Championships. Reanalysis in the Lausanne Lab revealed the presence of the prohibited substance dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (Turinabol) in all the samples of the Athlete Yelena Slesarenko.

Consequently the Sole Arbitrator (CAS 2017/O/5332) decided on 3 May 2018 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete due to aggravating circumstances. All results achieved by the Athlete from 23 August 2008 until 22 August 2012 were disqualified, including forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points and prize and appearance money obtained during this period.

Hereafter in January 2019 the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recovered the internal database of the Moscow Laboratory (LIMS). Following investigation of allegations of organized doping practices, and in particular of the LIMS, WADA provided international federations with investigation reports on the athletes implicated in these organized doping practices.

As a result in December 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics reported a new anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Yelena Slesarenko for the use of the prohibited substances Metenolone and Methasterone in 2013 on multiple occasions.

After notification the Athlete denied the charges and also denied that she was involved in any manipulations with doping samples. Thereupon the Athlete failed to respond to the AIU communications.

Without the Athlete's response the AIU deems that the she has waived her right to a hearing, to have accepted the asserted anti-doping rule violations and the sanction rendered by the AIU.

The AIU considers that the Athlete had already served a 4 year period of ineligibility until October 2020, including disqualification of results from 23 August 2008 until 22 Augustus 2012. Under the Rules the AIU concludes that the 2013 violations shall be considered as a single first violation together with the previous violations committed in 2008 and 2011.

Further the AIU regards that the Athlete's 2013 violations can't be subject to a more severe sanction. As a result no additional period of ineligibility can be imposed on the Athlete for the 2013 anti-doping rule violations. However the AIU deems that there are indeed grounds for the disqualificaton of the Athlete's results from 2013 until 2016.

Therefore the AIU decides on 11 July 2022 to disqualify the Athlete's results from 18 July 2013 until 3 October 2016 with all of the resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, titles, points, prize money and prizes.

Ms. Yelena Arzhakova is a Russian Athlete competing at the Helsinki 2012 IAAF European Championships and at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Previously the Athlete served a 2 year period of ineligibility from January 2013 until January 2015 for a ABP violation including disqualification of her results from 12 July 2011.

In 2016, Professor Richard McLaren issued two reports about systemic doping in Russia. These reports identified a significant number of Russian athletes who were involved in, or benefitted from, the doping schemes and practices that he uncovered.

Hereafter in January 2019 the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recovered the internal database of the Moscow Laboratory (LIMS). Following investigation of allegations of organized doping practices, and in particular of the LIMS, WADA provided international federations with investigation reports on the athletes implicated in these organized doping practices.

As a result in December 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics reported a new anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Yelena Arzhakova for the use of the prohibited substances Ostarine and Testosterone.

After notification the Athlete failed to respond to the AIU communications. Without her response the AIU deems that she has waived her right to a hearing, to have accepted the asserted anti-doping rule violations and the sanction rendered by the AIU.

The AIU considers that the Athlete had already served a 2 year period of ineligibility until January 2015, including disqualification of her results from 12 July 2011. Under the Rules the AIU concludes that the 2012 violations shall be considered as a single first violation together with the previous violations committed.

Further the AIU holds that the Athlete's 2012 violations can be subject to a more severe sanction. Consequently due to aggravating circumstances an additional period of ineligibility of 2 years can be imposed on the Athlete for the 2012 anti-doping rule violations including disqualifation of all her results.

Therefore the AIU decides on 11 July 2022 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the Decision. All the Athlete's results from 29 January 2015 onwards are disqualified with all of the resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, titles, points, prize money and prizes.

In November 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on behalf of World Athletics has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Vane Nyaboke Nyanamba after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone). Hereafter the AIU also reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete for Tampering with Results Management.

In March 2022 the Athlete admitted the violations and thereupon the AIU, the Athlete and WADA entered into a Case Resolution Agreement. Considering the Athlete gave a prompt admission the Athlete received a reduction of the sanction period of 8 months.

Therefore the AIU decides on 8 September 2022 to impose a 7 year and 4 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 29 August 2021.

In March 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on behalf of World Athletics has reported an anti-doping rule violation againt the Lebanese Athlete Tony Hanna after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Heptaminol and Octodrine (1,5-dimethylhexylamine).

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. He signed an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form.

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and stated that a supplement he had used was the source of the positive test. He showed with medical information that he had used prescribed medication for his gastroenteritis and also had used this supplement for his condition.

He stated that this supplement was purchased in a store in Beirut where most Lebanese athletes buy their supplements. Thereupon he had reseached the ingredients of this supplement and overlooked that the listed ingredient DMHA is another name for Octodrine.

The Athlete acknowledged that he failed to mention this supplement on the Doping Control Form. He explained that following the marathon he underwent medical treatment for exhaustion and in this situation he had attempted to mention all his prescribed medication for gastroenteritis rather than the supplement.

The AIU establishes that the Athlete was inexperienced about anti-doping as he had not received any education in this matter. Further the AIU holds that the Athlete in his physical condition following the marathon had attempted to mention his prescribed medication for his gastroenteritis and not disclosed his supplement in question.

In view of the evidence the AIU concludes that the violation was not intentional and that Athlete acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the AIU decides on 14 June 2022 to impose a 16 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 17 March 2022.

In June 2021 and February 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) reported two separate anti-doping rule violations against the Kenyan Athlete Titus Ekiru for the presence of prohibited substances.

The Athlete's Sample 1, provided in May 2021 in Italy, tested positive for the prohibited substance Triamcinolone acetonide. Thereupon his Sample 2, provided in November 2021 in the United Arab Emirates, tested positive for the substance Pethidine.

Regarding Sample 1 the Athlete explained in June 2021 with medical documents that he underwent medical treatment for his injury in a hospital in Kenya. His doctor corroborated in a written statement in November 2021 that Triamcinolone acetonide had been injected.

In the matter of Sample 2 the Athlete explained in February 2022 with medical documents that he had used prescribed medication for his injury. However this time the AIU established that these medical documents were falsifications.

Consequently the AIU revisited its findings regarding Sample 1 and reported in February 2022 an new anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete for tampering.

In both cases the AIU had requested assistance from the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) with an investigation into the Athlete's explanations and supporting medical documents.

ADAK's investigations revealed that in both cases the Athlete had provided false statements and forged/fraudulent documents. Moreover the first hospital in question had no Triamcinolone acetonide in stock and in the second hospital no Pethidine had been dispensed at the material time.

Eventually in July 2023 the Athlete was charged for the presence of prohibited substances in both samples. Also the Athlete was charged for tampering by obstructing or delaying an AIU investigation and for providing false/misleading information and documentation regarding Sample 1 and Sample 2.

At first the Athlete contested the charges, however in September 2023 he requested termination of the disciplinary proceedings before the Disciplinary Tribunal. Thereupon the AIU deems that the Athlete has admitted the violations, waived his right for a hearing and accepted the consequences.

In the case of Sample 1 the AIU considers that the presence and tampering violation shall be treated together as one single violation for the imposition of sanction of 4 years. Because of aggravating circumstances in this case the period of ineligibility is increased to a total of 6 years.

The tampering violation regarding Sample 2 is considered a stand-alone-first violation and the 4 year period of ineligibility shall be served consequtively to the period imposed for the underlying violation.

Therefore the AIU decides on 16 October 2023 to impose a total of 10 years on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 28 June 2022.

In October 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics has reported an an anti-doping rule violation against the British Athlete Thomas Roach after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis in a concentration above the WADA threshold.

After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, and accepted the sanction proposed by AIU. The Athlete declined to engage in a substance of abuse treatment program with a reduced sanction of 1 month.

The Athlete explained that he had used Cannabis recreationally 2 days before the competition whereas the AIU accepted that the substance was used out-of-competition and unrelated to sport performance.

Therefore the AIU decides on 22 October 2021 to impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on 14 October 2021.

In August 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit on behalf of World Athletics has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Ethiopian AthleteTaye Girma Arit after his samples - collected in April and in June 2021 - tested positive for the prohibited substance Recombinant Erythropoietin (rhEPO).

After notificattion a provisional suspension was ordered. After delays and extentions the Athlete filed a statement in his defence and there was a hearing for the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal.

The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. He could not explain how the substance had entered his system and acknowledged that he was unable to dispute the accuracy of the test result. Neither could he demonstrate that there were grounds for No Significant Fault or Negligence.

The AIU contended that the Athlete intentionally had used rhEPO through two separate administrations and that there were grounds for aggravating circumstances. The Athlete only made protestations of innocence whereas he failed to challenge the evidence, nor demonstrated the source of the rhEPO.

The Panel agrees that the Athlete failed to establish with any corroborating evidence that the violation was not intentional, nor how the substance had entered his system. The Panel deems that there were aggravating circumstances in this case due to the Athlete deliberately has used rhEPO at least through two separate administrations.

Therefore the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal decides on 15 August 2022 to impose a 5 year and 4 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 3 August 2021.

In October 2021 and in February 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on behalf of World Athletics has reported anti-doping rule violations against the Kenyan Athlete Tabitha Gichia Wambui after her samples - collected in September and in October 2021 -  tested positive for the prohibited substances 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone (Nandrolone).

After notification in October 2021 of the first anti-doping rule violation the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived her right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU.

The Athlete explained with evidence that she underwent medical treatment in September 2021, yet the AIU concluded that the used medication could not explain the presence of Nandrolone in her system.

Hereafter the Athlete revoked the Acceptance Form and filed additional medical evidence in her defence. She alleged that she underwent medical treatment in a Kenyan hospital in February, April and May 2021 and because of her condition that prescribed Nandrolone had been administered.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) conducted an investigation into the filed evidence and established that the Athlete had not received any medical treatment in the Kenyan hospital whereas the filed medical evidence was not issued nor certified by the hospital.

Consequently in June 2022 the AIU reported an new anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete for Tampering because of the falsification of medical information. Again the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.

The AIU finds that the Athlete had failed to demonstrate the violations were not intentional and deems that the two anti-doping rule violations for presence must be considered as one single violation. Aditionally the AIU finds that the Athlete had committed a second anti-doping rule violation for tampering during the Doping Control process.

Because the Athlete signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU. The Athlete must serve the imposed period of ineligibility consecutively.

Therefore the AIU decides on 11 July 2022 to impose a 7 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 20 October 2022.

In August 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics has reported an an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Racheal Mutgaa after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substances 3α-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one (androsterone), 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol and Testosterone.

After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived her right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by AIU. 

Therefore the AIU decides on 17 August 2021 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 3 August 2021.