In December 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Uzbek Athlete Sitora Khamidova after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, Heptaminol and Octopamine.

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. She also signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form.

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substances and assumed that the products she had used were contaminated. She explained which supplements and medication she had used, although prior she had not mentioned these products on the Doping Control Form.

In February 2024 the Athlete's Coach admitted that he had purchased supplements and sport drinks that possibly contained these prohibited substances. He denied that he had acted intentionally, nor that he was aware that these products contained these banned substances.

The AIU deems that both the Athlete and the Coach failed to demonstrate with corroborating evidence that these products contained the prohibited substance. They also failed to establish that the violations were not intentional.

Furthermore the AIU finds that there are aggravating circumstances present in this case because the Athlete had used multiple banned substances. Due to she had signed and submitted the Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 6 March 2024 to impose a 5 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 14 December 2023.

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

Following notification the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU. He stated that he had used painkillers for his injury and that he was unaware that they contained a prohibited substance.

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 December 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 3 November 2023.

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.

These investigation reports revealed that prohibited substances has been established in the samples of the Athlete Victoriya Sudarušhkina. These 4 samples were provided by the Athlete in February 2013 and in June 2014 and thereupon deliberately reported as negative by the Moscow laboratory.

As a result in February 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete for the use of the prohibited substances Enobosarm (Ostarine) and Trenbolone in 2013 and 2014. After notification the Athlete failed to respond to the AIU communications.

Without the Athlete's response the AIU deems that she has waived her right to a hearing, to have accepted the asserted anti-doping rule violation and the sanction rendered by the AIU. The AIU considers that there are aggravating circumstances present in this case that justifies the imposition of a more severe sanction.

Therefore the AIU decides on 21 February 2024 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision. All the Athlete's results from 28 February 2013 until the date of the decision are disqualified with all of the resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, titles, points, prize money and prizes.

In November 2022 the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Bolivian Athlete Basco Mamani after his sample, provided during 2022 South America Games, tested positive for the prohibited substance Clenbuterol.

As a result on 30 March 2023 ODESUR ruled that the Athlete had committed an anti-doping rule violation. Hereafter the case was referred to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to consider consequences to be imposed on the Athlete.

Following notification in July 2023 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 admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. He explained that in October 2022 he suffered from a cold and consulted a doctor when his condition deteriorated.

Thereupon he receiveid from the pharmacy the wrong medication Ambroterol instead of the prescribed Ambroxol. He claimed that when he contacted the pharmacy and his doctor he was told that both medications had the same composition and were valid, although both people lacked doping knowledge.

The Athlete acknowledged that he had not checked his medication before using, nor mentioned his medication to his sport doctors at the Games when he received further medical treatment. Because he was so sick at the Games he also failed to mention properly all his medication on the Doping Control Form.

The AIU contended that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Furthermore the AIU deemed that the Athlete was not credible because of several inconsistencies in his conduct, his evidence and his testimonies.

In view of the evidence the Panel concludes that the Athlete had demonstrated how the prohibited substance had entered his system. Yet, he failed to establish that the violation was not intentional.

The Panel determines that without any precautions the Athlete clearly had acted recklessly with his medication. He failed to check the ingredients of the mediation with anyone, not even with his sports doctor, neither did he even look at the label of the medication.

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 19 July 2023.

In February 2024 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf on World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Winnie Jemutai Boinett after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Testosterone and its metabolites.

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 she had received several medical treatments in hospitals for her injury without having corroborating documents.

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 11 March 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 29 February 2024.

In April 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Chinese Athlete Xin Zhang after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Metandienone. Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in her defence.

The Athlete explained that in March 2023 she had attended a group training run and that there had been een mix up of drink bottles. The drink bottle she had prepared for was similar to the drink bottle prepared by others.

The Athlete had contacted the participants who had attended the group training run. She claimed that a Training Partner had added Dianabol (Metandienone) into his bottle to improve muscle strength.

AIU requested assistance from the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) with an investigation into the Athlete's explanation. CHINADA's investigation confirmed that the Training Partner had admitted the use of Methandienone in his drink bottle. Besides he had also purchased and used other banned substances.

The AIU concludes that the Athlete had committed an anti-doping rule violation and that she failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Thereupon in September 2023 the AIU submitted a Notice of Charge to the Athlete and an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form.

Hereafter the Athlete gave a timely admission, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU. Because she had signed and submitted the Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 18 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 April 2023.

In October 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf on World Athletics, reported multipe anti-doping rule violations against the Ethiopian Athlete Zerfe Wondemagegn.

The AIU established that the Athlete's samples, provided in August, in September and in November 2023, tested positive for the prohibited substances Recombinant Erythropoietin (RhEPO) and Testosterone with its metabolites.

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 with evidence that she underwent medical treatment in a clinic in Ethiopia and that in July 2023 EPO had been administered as treatment for her diagnosed anemia and kidney infection. Yet, she could not explain the presence of Testosterone in her sample.

The AIU deems that the Athlete failed to establish that the violation was not intentional and that there are aggravating circumstances present in this case. 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 April 2024 to impose a 5 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 20 October 2023.

In June 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Lithuanian Athlete Zita Kosač after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Mestanolone, Methasterone and Oxymetholone.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in her defence. She believed that her supplement was the source of the prohibited substances.

With approval of the AIU the Athlete provided an open container of this supplement and a sealed container (from a different batch) to the Warshaw Lab for testing. Thereupon analysis in the Lab confirmed the presence of these prohibited substances in both containers of this supplement.

The Athlete asserted that the supplement was the source of the prohibited substances and that she had mentioned this product on the Doping Control Form. Ultimately in February 2024 she signed and submitted an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance Form. 

In view of the evidence the AIU accepts that the Athlete's violation was not intentional and that she demonstrated how the substances had entered her system. The AIU determines that she acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Further the AIU considers that the prohibited substances were not mentioned on the product label of this supplement and that she had participated into a Marathon in September 2023 during the provisional suspension.

Therefore the AIU decides on 16 February 2024 to impose a 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting backdated on 25 July 2023.

In March 2024 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf on World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Celestine Chepchirchir after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Testosterone and its metabolites.

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 AIU deems that the Athlete failed to establish 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 April 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 26 March 2024.

In March 2024 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf on World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Bahraini Athlete Marius Kimutai after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO).

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

The AIU deems that the Athlete failed to establish 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 12 April 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 28 March 2024.