Thailand athlete Worawut Marnnok receives two-year ban for anti-doping rule violation

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para swimming athlete Worawut Marnnok for a period of two years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code (Code).

The Thailand athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for two Prohibited Substances in a urine sample provided in-competition on 3 August 2022 at the 11th ASEAN Para Games 2022 in Solo, Indonesia. The test was conducted by the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) in its role as the Major Event Organisation for the 11th ASEAN Para Games.

The substances were chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide. The substances are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List under the class S5 (Diuretics and Masking Agents). They are both Specified Substances for the purposes of the Code.

The APC had initial results management authority for the athlete’s case, pursuant to the APC’s anti-doping rules, in relation to determining whether the athlete had committed an ADRV and the disqualification of any results from the 11th ASEAN Para Games.

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the APC on 29 September 2022 pending a resolution of his case.

On 31 March 2023, the APC issued a reasoned decision confirming that the athlete had committed an ADRV and disqualifying the athlete’s results from his competition at the 11th ASEAN Para Games, together with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of all related medals, points and prizes.

Following this, the matter was transferred to the IPC as the international federation for the athlete’s sport (Para swimming) – to determine any further applicable consequences for the athlete, including any period of ineligibility as per the terms of the Code.

The athlete accepted the consequences proposed by the IPC in resolution of his case. As a result of his violation, the athlete will be ineligible for competition and other sporting activities (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programmes) for two years from 29 September 2022 to 28 September 2024.

All results obtained by the athlete from the date the athlete’s sample was collected (3 August 2022) until the commencement of the Provisional Suspension (29 September 2022) were disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in their sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in their bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.

As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code in compliance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, expecting that, in the spirit of sport, it will lead the fight against doping in sport for athletes with an impairment.

Kenyan athlete Rodgers Kiprop receives three-year ban for anti-doping rule violation

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para athletics athlete Rodgers Kiprop for a period of three years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code.

The Kenyan athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for the administration of testosterone and/or its precursors in a urine sample provided out-of-competition on 15 June 2023.

Kehinde’s urine sample was analysed using a specialised type of analysis, known as Gas Chromatography/Combustion/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS), that differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The GC/C/IRMS analysis confirmed the presence of testosterone and/or its metabolites of exogenous origin in Kehinde’s urine sample.

The substances are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 and are prohibited at all times.

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 8 July 2023 pending a resolution of his case.

The athlete subsequently accepted the commission of the ADRV, and the consequences proposed by the IPC.

All results obtained by the athlete from the date the sample was collected until the commencement of the provisional suspension are disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

IPC General Assembly to be held remotely

The IPC General Assembly set for 11-12 December 2021 in Chinese Taipei will now be held remotely after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was informed by national authorities in the host country that all attendees would need to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.

Since Chinese Taipei was awarded the General Assembly in June, the Local Organising Committee NPC Chinese Taipei has been developing COVID-19 countermeasures to ensure the health and safety of all attendees. The NPC felt they were very near agreement with the authorities on a bubble system for the General Assembly. However, upon speaking directly with the national authorities on Tuesday, the IPC were informed that all General Assembly delegates would in fact have to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. This is a non-practical solution for all concerned and the IPC has now decided to stage the event online.

IPC announces competitive RFP for organisations to become governing bodies

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is inviting interested parties for engagement meetings about becoming the governing bodies for Para athletics and Para swimming, prior to submitting a response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) by 22 April 2022.

The RFP is subject to the IPC Membership voting in favour of a revised constitution at the IPC General Assembly in December 2021. If approved, it will launch a governance reform where the IPC will aim to cease acting as an international federation of Para sports by the end of 2026.

Paralympian stripped of gold medal for arriving three minutes late to event

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has stripped Malaysian shot putter Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli of his gold medal as he arrived three minutes late for the event.

Genoa 2020 European Championships cancelled

The Genoa 2020 European Para Dance Sport Championships has been cancelled.

Para powerlifter Dawid Lange receives a four-year ban for anti-doping violation

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para powerlifting athlete Dawid Lange for a period of four years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code.

The Polish athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for Prohibited Substances in a urine sample provided in-competition on 7 April 2019 during the Men's over 107kg competition at the 2019 Polish Weightlifting Individual Championships for People with Disabilities.

The substances were metabolites of Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT), Metandienone, Oxandrolone and Clomifene. DHCMT, Metandienone, Oxandrolone are listed as Prohibited Substances under class S1.1A of WADA's 2019 Prohibited List (Anabolic Agents). Clomifene is listed as a Prohibited Substance under S4.3 of WADA's 2019 Prohibited List (Hormone and Metabolic Modulators).

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA) on 13 June 2019 pending a resolution of his case.

On 30 December 2019, the athlete was charged with an ADRV pursuant to the POLADA Anti-Doping Rules.

On 22 July 2020, a POLADA Disciplinary Panel ruled that the athlete had violated the POLADA Anti-Doping Rules and imposed a sanction of a four-year period of Ineligibility on the athlete.

Following an appeal by the athlete, on 17 February 2021 a POLADA Appeal Panel overturned the POLADA First Instance Decision and lifted the athlete’s suspension, on the basis that the POLADA Anti-Doping Rules did not apply to the athlete.

On 30 September 2021, the IPC charged the athlete with an ADRV pursuant to the 2018 IPC Anti-Doping Code and provisionally suspended the athlete pending a resolution of his case.

Following this, the athlete challenged, among other things, the IPC's jurisdiction to bring a case under the IPC Anti-Doping Code against the athlete on the basis of the AAF. This jurisdiction challenge was dismissed in a ruling of the IPC Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal on 9 December 2021, and then by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following an appeal by the athlete to CAS, on 1 May 2023.

Following the dismissal of the jurisdiction challenge by CAS, the substantive ADRV case was heard before the IPC Independent Tribunal. On 13 October 2023 the IPC Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal found the AAF charge to be proven and sanctioned the athlete to a four-year period of Ineligibility.

As a result of his violation, the athlete will be ineligible for competition and other sporting activities (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programs) for four years from 13 June 2019. The suspension is to take into account the POLADA Provisional Suspension (13 June 2019 to 17 February 2021) and the IPC Provisional Suspension (30 September 2021 to 13 October 2023), bringing its end date to 22 January 2024.

The results obtained from the Men's over 107kg competition at the 2019 Polish Weightlifting Individual Championships for People with Disabilities are automatically disqualified, with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. All other results obtained by the athlete from the date the positive sample was collected until the commencement of the provisional suspension are also disqualified, with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

Jude Ellis, Head of Anti-Doping at the IPC, said: “This case serves as a reminder to those athletes who have agreed to participate in any World Para Sports’ competition or who have signed the IPC’s Athlete Eligibility Agreement. Regardless of their level of experience, these athletes have a responsibility to understand and comply with their obligations under the IPC Anti-Doping Code. This includes taking steps to ensure that anything they consume does not contain a substance included on the WADA Prohibited List. The IPC has anti-doping jurisdiction over the World Para Sports, and this applies at all times, whether in-competition or out-of-competition.

“The IPC would also remind National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) to ensure their anti-doping rules are drafted so as to ensure that they have jurisdiction and results management authority over Para athletes where appropriate.”

Iranian athlete Nikoeimajd Mehran suspended four years for anti-doping rule violation

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has suspended Iranian Para athletics athlete Nikoeimajd Mehran for a period of four years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).

The athlete was found to have committed an ADRV pursuant to IPC Anti-Doping Code Article 2.2 of the IF Rules: Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method.

IPC publish 2020-2021 Annual Report

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has published its 2020/2021 Annual Report detailing how the organisation made major advancements during the year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the complete report here.

Nigerian Para powerlifter receives ban for committing an anti-doping rule violation

Paul Kehinde is ineligible for competition for thirty (30) months from 9 March 2020 to 8 September 2022

IPC launches Doping Control Guide for Testing Athletes in Para Sport

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has launched the Doping Control Guide for Testing Athletes in Para Sport to assist anti-doping organisations and those working out in the field, collecting samples from Para athletes for anti-doping purposes ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.