Bangladesh pacer Shohidul Islam has been suspended for 10 months after pleading guilty to breaching Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping CodeThe 27-year-old pacer has represented Bangladesh in one T20I. After admitting the offence, Shohidul has been suspended from all forms of cricket for 10 months. The 10-month suspension has been backdated to May 28, the day he admitted to the offence, meaning the Bangladesh pacer will be eligible to play on 28 March 2023.

Shohidul has played a solitary T20I for Bangladesh, where he picked up the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan in the third and final match of the series which Pakistan won 3-0. He has been part of Bangladesh`s travelling squads for series against New Zealand and South Africa but did not get any game time. He was also a part of the Bangladesh Test and T20I squad for the ongoing tour of the West Indies but missed out due to a side strain. Shohidul`s urine sample was positive for Clomifene, which is classified as a Specified Substance under WADA`s Prohibited List. It is prohibited both in-competition as well as out-of-competition.

Shohidul had provided the urine sample as a part of ICC`s out-of-competition testing programme. While handing out the suspension, the ICC confirmed that Shohidul had inadvertently ingested the prohibited substance in the form of medicine that he had been legitimately prescribed for therapeutic purposes. Shohidul also testified that he had no intention to use the prohibited substance for performance enhancement.

Bangladesh pacer Shohidul Islam has been suspended for 10 months after pleading guilty to breaching Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping CodeThe 27-year-old pacer has represented Bangladesh in one T20I.

Bangladesh pacer Shohidul Islam has been suspended for 10 months after pleading guilty to breaching Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping CodeThe 27-year-old pacer has represented Bangladesh in one T20I. After admitting the offence, Shohidul has been suspended from all forms of cricket for 10 months. The 10-month suspension has been backdated to May 28, the day he admitted to the offence, meaning the Bangladesh pacer will be eligible to play on 28 March 2023. Shohidul has played a solitary T20I for Bangladesh, where he picked up the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan in the third and final match of the series which Pakistan won 3-0. He has been part of Bangladesh`s travelling squads for series against New Zealand and South Africa but did not get any game time. He was also a part of the Bangladesh Test and T20I squad for the ongoing tour of the West Indies but missed out due to a side strain. Shohidul`s urine sample was positive for Clomifene, which is classified as a Specified Substance under WADA`s Prohibited List. It is prohibited both in-competition as well as out-of-competition. Shohidul had provided the urine sample as a part of ICC`s out-of-competition testing programme. While handing out the suspension, the ICC confirmed that Shohidul had inadvertently ingested the prohibited substance in the form of medicine that he had been legitimately prescribed for therapeutic purposes. Shohidul also testified that he had no intention to use the prohibited substance for performance enhancement.

Bangladesh speedster Shohidul Islam suspended for ten months for doping violation

Rafael Nadal continued his dominance at the Roland Garros by recently winning his 14th French Open title, in Paris. Facing the 23-year-old Casper Ruud on clay court, Nadal outplayed his opposition by winning in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.&nbsp;

After the summit clash, Nadal dwelled on his foot injury and revealed that&nbsp;he was taking special anesthetic injections to deal with the pain, that led to him going past the whole tournament. Following his confession, it has led to many questioning and criticising him in the sporting fraternity.&nbsp;

French cyclist Guillaume Martin raised questions, claiming that this would have led to serious consequences in Cycling. “If a cyclist does the same thing, it’s already forbidden. But even if it weren’t, everyone would call him doped because there is such a cultural background, such connotations attached to the bike. While people praise Nadal for being able to go this far in pain. I believe that Zlatan Ibrahimovic also spoke about his knee injections," Martin told L'Equipe.

“Tennis, for example, has quite similar parameters with cycling, it’s an endurance sport with accelerations, so I think the same products can have a doping effect," he added.

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Thus, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief General Olivier Niggli has reacted to all the questions being raised&nbsp;and played down the criticism. "If a product is on the list of prohibited products, it means that it has an effect on performance, that it is bad for health, and that it is contrary to the ethics of sport. Anesthetic injections are not prohibited. It's not an oversight. The question arose. It was discussed. They are not on the list because they do not improve performance and are fundamentally not bad," Niggli told Switzerland TV Channel&nbsp;RTS.

"Is it a good medical practice? Is it acceptable for an elite athlete to get injections before a match? It's a debate between doctors and a debate about medical ethics. Rafael Nadal has won 14 titles at Roland Garros. If he has won thirteen others without injections, it is probably not due to injections that he has won the 14th," he signed off.

Rafael Nadal continued his dominance at the Roland Garros by recently winning his 14th French Open title, in Paris. Facing the 23-year-old Casper Ruud on clay court, Nadal outplayed his opposition by winning in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.

Rafael Nadal continued his dominance at the Roland Garros by recently winning his 14th French Open title, in Paris. Facing the 23-year-old Casper Ruud on clay court, Nadal outplayed his opposition by winning in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-0. After the summit clash, Nadal dwelled on his foot injury and revealed that he was taking special anesthetic injections to deal with the pain, that led to him going past the whole tournament. Following his confession, it has led to many questioning and criticising him in the sporting fraternity. French cyclist Guillaume Martin raised questions, claiming that this would have led to serious consequences in Cycling. “If a cyclist does the same thing, it’s already forbidden. But even if it weren’t, everyone would call him doped because there is such a cultural background, such connotations attached to the bike. While people praise Nadal for being able to go this far in pain. I believe that Zlatan Ibrahimovic also spoke about his knee injections," Martin told L'Equipe. “Tennis, for example, has quite similar parameters with cycling, it’s an endurance sport with accelerations, so I think the same products can have a doping effect," he added. ALSO READ | Wimbledon to dish out record prize money of 40.3 million pounds Thus, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief General Olivier Niggli has reacted to all the questions being raised and played down the criticism. "If a product is on the list of prohibited products, it means that it has an effect on performance, that it is bad for health, and that it is contrary to the ethics of sport. Anesthetic injections are not prohibited. It's not an oversight. The question arose. It was discussed. They are not on the list because they do not improve performance and are fundamentally not bad," Niggli told Switzerland TV Channel RTS. "Is it a good medical practice? Is it acceptable for an elite athlete to get injections before a match? It's a debate between doctors and a debate about medical ethics. Rafael Nadal has won 14 titles at Roland Garros. If he has won thirteen others without injections, it is probably not due to injections that he has won the 14th," he signed off.

'Anesthetic injections are....' - WADA chief on doping accusation on French Open winner Rafael Nadal

Indian discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for a banned steroid, the World Athletics body confirmed on Wednesday. "The AIU has provisionally suspended discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur of India for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Stanozolol), a breach of the @WorldAthletics Anti-Doping Rules," the governing body said in a tweet. 
 
Tokyo Olympian and national record holder in women`s discus throw, Kamalpreet Kaur faces the prospect of being banned for a maximum period of four years if she is found guilty. Notably, a Provisional Suspension is when an Athlete or other Person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in Athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.

The 26-year-old Kaur, who holds the national record of 65.06m which she had achieved last year, finished a creditable sixth in the women`s discus throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games last year. It is not known where and when she was tested but Kaur is in the registered testing pool of World Athletics.

Indian discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for a banned steroid, the World Athletics body confirmed on Wednesday.

Indian discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for a banned steroid, the World Athletics body confirmed on Wednesday. "The AIU has provisionally suspended discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur of India for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Stanozolol), a breach of the @WorldAthletics Anti-Doping Rules," the governing body said in a tweet. Tokyo Olympian and national record holder in women`s discus throw, Kamalpreet Kaur faces the prospect of being banned for a maximum period of four years if she is found guilty. Notably, a Provisional Suspension is when an Athlete or other Person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in Athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct. The 26-year-old Kaur, who holds the national record of 65.06m which she had achieved last year, finished a creditable sixth in the women`s discus throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games last year. It is not known where and when she was tested but Kaur is in the registered testing pool of World Athletics.

Tokyo 2020 star Kamalpreet Kaur provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned drug

Russian race walker Yelena Lashmanova has been banned for two years for the use of prohibited substances and will be stripped of her 2012 Olympics gold medal in the 20-km race, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Monday.

Lashmanova won gold in London when she beat compatriot Olga Kaniskina, who was also later stripped of her silver medal for doping. Lashmanova then won gold at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, another medal she will now lose.

The AIU said the charges were based on Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) data as well as evidence provided by Richard McLaren, who led the investigations into state-sponsored doping by Russian athletes.

"Russian race walker Yelena Lashmanova has been banned for two years, starting 9 March 2021, for the use of prohibited substances, a violation of World Athletics anti-doping rules," the AIU said in a statement.

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"Lashmanova has accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU... She is set to lose gold medals from the women's 20-km race walk event at the London 2012 Olympic Games and 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow."

The AIU said her results between Feb. 18, 2012 and Jan. 3, 2014 had been disqualified.

Lashmanova was previously handed a two-year doping ban in 2014. She had been coached by Viktor Chegin, who was banned for life from athletics in 2016 over the Russian doping scandal.

Russia's athletics federation was suspended by World Athletics in 2015 following a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report containing allegations of state-supported doping, which Moscow denied.

Russian race walker Yelena Lashmanova has been banned for two years for the use of prohibited substances and will be stripped of her 2012 Olympics gold medal in the 20-km race, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Monday.

Russian race walker Yelena Lashmanova has been banned for two years for the use of prohibited substances and will be stripped of her 2012 Olympics gold medal in the 20-km race, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Monday. Lashmanova won gold in London when she beat compatriot Olga Kaniskina, who was also later stripped of her silver medal for doping. Lashmanova then won gold at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, another medal she will now lose. The AIU said the charges were based on Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) data as well as evidence provided by Richard McLaren, who led the investigations into state-sponsored doping by Russian athletes. "Russian race walker Yelena Lashmanova has been banned for two years, starting 9 March 2021, for the use of prohibited substances, a violation of World Athletics anti-doping rules," the AIU said in a statement. ALSO READ: Winter sports in India: Huge number of female participants from across country "Lashmanova has accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU... She is set to lose gold medals from the women's 20-km race walk event at the London 2012 Olympic Games and 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow." The AIU said her results between Feb. 18, 2012 and Jan. 3, 2014 had been disqualified. Lashmanova was previously handed a two-year doping ban in 2014. She had been coached by Viktor Chegin, who was banned for life from athletics in 2016 over the Russian doping scandal. Russia's athletics federation was suspended by World Athletics in 2015 following a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report containing allegations of state-supported doping, which Moscow denied.

AIU bans Russian race walker Yelena Lashmanova for doping, to be stripped of 2012 Olympics gold

Britain has been stripped of its Olympic silver medal in the men's 4x100m relay in Tokyo last August after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld Chijindu Ujah's anti-doping violation on Friday.

Ujah has been provisionally suspended since Ostarine and S-23 -- both substances prohibited by world anti-doping organisation WADA -- were detected in his A and B samples following the final.

In a statement on Friday, CAS said its Anti-Doping Division had found that Ujah had committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and that his team`s result from the 4x100m relay on Aug. 6 had been disqualified.

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Ujah and his relay teammates Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake finished narrowly second behind Italy. Canada will now be upgraded to silver with China moving into the bronze medal position.

In a statement CAS acknowledged that Ujah had not challenged the decision in his written submissions to the hearing and that he claimed he had "not knowingly or intentionally doped".

The 27-year-old said he had been left "devastated" by his anti-doping violation.

"I accept the decision issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport today with sadness," Ujah said in a statement issued by UK Athletics on Friday.

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"I would like to make it clear that I unknowingly consumed a contaminated supplement and this was the reason why an anti-doping rule violation occurred at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

"I would like to apologise to my teammates, their families and support teams for the impact which this has had on them. I'm sorry that this situation has cost my teammates the medals they worked so hard and so long for, and which they richly deserved. That is something I will regret for the rest of my life."

A UKA spokesperson added: "UKA continue to be in regular communication with the athletes concerned but will not be making public comment on the case until after the World Athletics/AIU process which will follow on from this CAS outcome."

Britain suffered a disappointing performance in track and field in Tokyo, failing to win a gold medal for the first time since the Atlanta Games in 1996.

Ujah was eliminated in the semi-finals of the individual 100m.

He will now have to wait for the Athletics Integrity Unit to determine the length of any ban, which could be as long as four years.

Britain has been stripped of its Olympic silver medal in the men's 4x100m relay in Tokyo last August after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld Chijindu Ujah's anti-doping violation on Friday.

Britain has been stripped of its Olympic silver medal in the men's 4x100m relay in Tokyo last August after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld Chijindu Ujah's anti-doping violation on Friday. Ujah has been provisionally suspended since Ostarine and S-23 -- both substances prohibited by world anti-doping organisation WADA -- were detected in his A and B samples following the final. In a statement on Friday, CAS said its Anti-Doping Division had found that Ujah had committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and that his team`s result from the 4x100m relay on Aug. 6 had been disqualified. ALSO READ: Athletics Integrity Unit bans Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for 10 years under doping charges Ujah and his relay teammates Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake finished narrowly second behind Italy. Canada will now be upgraded to silver with China moving into the bronze medal position. In a statement CAS acknowledged that Ujah had not challenged the decision in his written submissions to the hearing and that he claimed he had "not knowingly or intentionally doped". The 27-year-old said he had been left "devastated" by his anti-doping violation. "I accept the decision issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport today with sadness," Ujah said in a statement issued by UK Athletics on Friday. ALSO READ: Beijing Olympics: Braisaz-Bouchet overcomes rough shooting conditions, wins gold in 12.5 km mass start "I would like to make it clear that I unknowingly consumed a contaminated supplement and this was the reason why an anti-doping rule violation occurred at the Tokyo Olympic Games. "I would like to apologise to my teammates, their families and support teams for the impact which this has had on them. I'm sorry that this situation has cost my teammates the medals they worked so hard and so long for, and which they richly deserved. That is something I will regret for the rest of my life." A UKA spokesperson added: "UKA continue to be in regular communication with the athletes concerned but will not be making public comment on the case until after the World Athletics/AIU process which will follow on from this CAS outcome." Britain suffered a disappointing performance in track and field in Tokyo, failing to win a gold medal for the first time since the Atlanta Games in 1996. Ujah was eliminated in the semi-finals of the individual 100m. He will now have to wait for the Athletics Integrity Unit to determine the length of any ban, which could be as long as four years.

Britain lose 4x100m relay olympic silver medal as CAS upholds Chijindu Ujah's doping violation

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been banned for 10 years for doping and refusing to co-operate with the investigation, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Friday.

Okagbare, who won silver in the long jump at the Beijing 2008 Games, was provisionally suspended last year after testing positive for human growth hormone before the Tokyo Olympics and later hit with three separate anti-doping charges.

The 33-year-old had competed in the 100m heats in Tokyo on July 31 and was due to run in the semi-final before being suspended.

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"The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years, five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and five years for her refusal to co-operate with the AIU's investigation into her case," AIU said in a statement

Okagbare also won silver in the long jump at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, while also securing a bronze in the 200m at the same event.

"We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal; a ban of 10-years is a strong message against intentional and coordinated attempts to cheat at the very highest level of our sport," added Brett Clothier, head of the AIU.

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been banned for 10 years for doping and refusing to co-operate with the investigation, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Friday.

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been banned for 10 years for doping and refusing to co-operate with the investigation, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Friday. Okagbare, who won silver in the long jump at the Beijing 2008 Games, was provisionally suspended last year after testing positive for human growth hormone before the Tokyo Olympics and later hit with three separate anti-doping charges. The 33-year-old had competed in the 100m heats in Tokyo on July 31 and was due to run in the semi-final before being suspended. ALSO READ: Beijing Olympics: Braisaz-Bouchet overcomes rough shooting conditions, wins gold in 12.5 km mass start "The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years, five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and five years for her refusal to co-operate with the AIU's investigation into her case," AIU said in a statement Okagbare also won silver in the long jump at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, while also securing a bronze in the 200m at the same event. "We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal; a ban of 10-years is a strong message against intentional and coordinated attempts to cheat at the very highest level of our sport," added Brett Clothier, head of the AIU.

Athletics Integrity Unit bans Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for 10 years under doping charges

Russian skater Kamila Valieva has missed out on a podium place in the women's single skating event at the Beijing Winter Olympics. The 15-year-old who is at the centre of a doping scandal made several errors in her routine as she finished fourth.

Beijing Winter Olympics: 15-year-old Russian skater Kamila Valieva misses out on podium

Ukrainian bobsledder Lidiia Hunko has tested positive for a prohibited substance during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Friday.

Hunko, who finished 20th in the women's monobob, is the third athlete to test positive during the Games.

The ITA said she tested positive on Feb. 14 in Yanqing where the competition took place and she had been suspended provisionally.

"The athlete also has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample," the ITA, in charge of doping tests during the Olympics, said.

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Her team could not be immediately reached for a comment.

Iranian Alpine skier Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki, who had tested positive earlier in the Games, was forced out of the Games on Friday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed his anti-doping rule violation.

"The athlete is excluded from the Olympic Winter Games... and his accreditation is withdrawn," CAS said.

The skier, who was provisionally banned prior to his competitions in Beijing following the test, now faces further sanctions from his sport`s international federation FIS, CAS said.

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Ukrainian cross-country skier Valentyna Kaminska, who also tested positive, brings the total number of doping cases during the Games that end on Sunday to three.

The highest-profile doping story at the Games has concerned 15-year-old Russian figure skating team gold medallist Kamila Valieva who was allowed to continue competing in the singles event after news emerged of a failed doping test at her national championships last December.

Ukrainian bobsledder Lidiia Hunko has tested positive for a prohibited substance during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Friday.

Ukrainian bobsledder Lidiia Hunko has tested positive for a prohibited substance during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Friday. Hunko, who finished 20th in the women's monobob, is the third athlete to test positive during the Games. The ITA said she tested positive on Feb. 14 in Yanqing where the competition took place and she had been suspended provisionally. "The athlete also has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample," the ITA, in charge of doping tests during the Olympics, said. ALSO READ: Beijing Olympics: Was 'chilling' to witness Kamila Valieva crumble under pressure, says IOC chief Thomas Bach Her team could not be immediately reached for a comment. Iranian Alpine skier Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki, who had tested positive earlier in the Games, was forced out of the Games on Friday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed his anti-doping rule violation. "The athlete is excluded from the Olympic Winter Games... and his accreditation is withdrawn," CAS said. The skier, who was provisionally banned prior to his competitions in Beijing following the test, now faces further sanctions from his sport`s international federation FIS, CAS said. ALSO READ: Beijing Olympics: Kamila Valieva slips to fourth place in figure skating, medal ceremony to go ahead Ukrainian cross-country skier Valentyna Kaminska, who also tested positive, brings the total number of doping cases during the Games that end on Sunday to three. The highest-profile doping story at the Games has concerned 15-year-old Russian figure skating team gold medallist Kamila Valieva who was allowed to continue competing in the singles event after news emerged of a failed doping test at her national championships last December.

Beijing Olympics: Ukrainian bobsledder Lidiia Hunko tests positive for banned substance, says ITA

Russian teenager Kamila Valieva surprised the figure skating world by stumbling into fourth place in the women's singles event on Thursday, ensuring the Olympic medal ceremony could go ahead at the Beijing Games.

Her compatriot Anna Shcherbakova took gold with a total score of 255.95.&nbsp;

Fellow Russian Alexandra Trusova was second at 251.73 and Japan's Kaori Sakamoto came in third with 233.13.

Valieva, 15, wearing a sparkling black and red dress complete with bright red gloves, landed her opening quad, but faltered after her triple Axel, the first of a number of stumbles in the free skate routine to Maurice Ravel's "Bolero".

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She threw her hands forward in frustration after her routine.

In the stands, loud cheers and applause greeted her arrival on the ice. Fans chanted her name after her stumble.

In a high-octane routine, Trusova attempted five quads, stepping out on at least one. She scored a season best 177.13 in the free skate. Shcherbakova attempted fewer quadruple jumps, but had fewer errors.

Coaches Eteri Tutberidze, Sergei Dudakov and Daniil Gleikhengauz leaned in rinkside watching every move of their figure skaters.

Valieva tested positive for a banned heart drug after the national championships on Dec. 25 but the result was not revealed until Feb. 8, the day after she helped the ROC win the team competition.

Valieva was only cleared to compete in the women's single event by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday.

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She is one of the youngest athletes to have a positive test revealed at the Olympics, prompting questions about the role of the adults around her and the continuing scourge of Russian doping in international sport. It has also fueled a debate over raising the age limit for figure skating.

American Tara Lipinski remains the youngest individual gold medallist in Olympic figure skating.

She was more than a month younger than Valieva when she won the women`s event in 1998 in Nagano, Japan, becoming the first to land a triple loop-triple loop in the women`s competition.

Russian teenager Kamila Valieva surprised the figure skating world by stumbling into fourth place in the women's singles event on Thursday, ensuring the Olympic medal ceremony could go ahead at the Beijing Games.

Russian teenager Kamila Valieva surprised the figure skating world by stumbling into fourth place in the women's singles event on Thursday, ensuring the Olympic medal ceremony could go ahead at the Beijing Games. Her compatriot Anna Shcherbakova took gold with a total score of 255.95. Fellow Russian Alexandra Trusova was second at 251.73 and Japan's Kaori Sakamoto came in third with 233.13. Valieva, 15, wearing a sparkling black and red dress complete with bright red gloves, landed her opening quad, but faltered after her triple Axel, the first of a number of stumbles in the free skate routine to Maurice Ravel's "Bolero". ALSO READ: Kamila Valieva receives loud cheers, breaks down after returning to action for 1st time since doping scandal She threw her hands forward in frustration after her routine. In the stands, loud cheers and applause greeted her arrival on the ice. Fans chanted her name after her stumble. In a high-octane routine, Trusova attempted five quads, stepping out on at least one. She scored a season best 177.13 in the free skate. Shcherbakova attempted fewer quadruple jumps, but had fewer errors. Coaches Eteri Tutberidze, Sergei Dudakov and Daniil Gleikhengauz leaned in rinkside watching every move of their figure skaters. Valieva tested positive for a banned heart drug after the national championships on Dec. 25 but the result was not revealed until Feb. 8, the day after she helped the ROC win the team competition. Valieva was only cleared to compete in the women's single event by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday. ALSO READ: Beijing Olympics: Russian Kamila Valieva had 3 drugs used to treat heart conditions in sample - Report She is one of the youngest athletes to have a positive test revealed at the Olympics, prompting questions about the role of the adults around her and the continuing scourge of Russian doping in international sport. It has also fueled a debate over raising the age limit for figure skating. American Tara Lipinski remains the youngest individual gold medallist in Olympic figure skating. She was more than a month younger than Valieva when she won the women`s event in 1998 in Nagano, Japan, becoming the first to land a triple loop-triple loop in the women`s competition.

Beijing Olympics: Kamila Valieva slips to fourth place in figure skating, medal ceremony to go ahead

Ukrainian cross-country skier Valentyna Kaminska has tested positive for a steroid and two stimulants, becoming the second athlete at the Beijing Winter Olympics to fail drug tests.

Beijing Winter Olympics: Ukrainian skier tests positive for banned drugs

15-year-old Russian skater Kamila Valieva is now allowed to compete in Beijing Winter Olympics. The CAS has rejected the IOC appeal.

The Winter Olympics doping scandal: Russian skater cleared to compete

The world's top anti-doping authority will investigate the entourage of 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva who tested positive for a banned drug, plunging her into a doping scandal at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Valieva, whose Olympic future will be decided after a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing at 8:30 p.m.

Beijing time (1230 GMT), effortlessly completed a clean run-through of her short programme in practice on Sunday.

Watching her from the sidelines were her three coaches, Eteri Tutberidze, Sergei Dudakov and Daniil Gleikhengauz, as well as the team doctor Filipp Shvetsky and a physiotherapist.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/beijing-2022-marius-lindvik-strikes-gold-in-ski-jumping-with-a-staggering-1513-point-second-jump-452778">Beijing 2022: Marius Lindvik strikes gold in ski jumping with a staggering 151.3-point second jump</a>

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said in a statement to Reuters on Sunday that it would ask its independent Intelligence and Investigations Department to probe the coaches, doctors and other adults surrounding the athlete.

Earlier, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it had formally asked WADA to launch an investigation.

WADA also said that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) has indicated it has already started investigating the entourage because Valieva is a minor.

Valieva tested positive for a banned heart drug at her national championships last December, but it took more than six weeks for her to be notified, allowing her to compete in Beijing.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/beijing-winter-olympics-us-could-prosecute-russians-in-kamila-valieva-doping-case-says-usada-chief-452464">Beijing Winter Olympics: US Could Prosecute Russians in Kamila Valieva doping case, says USADA Chief</a>

Her future at the Games, and a gold for the Russian Olympic Committee in the team event that she dominated on Monday, now hang in the balance amid a global outcry over Moscow`s doping history.

Tutberidze, the most sought after figure skating coach in Russia, has not responded to Reuters emails.

On Saturday, she said she was certain Valieva was "clean and innocent" in an interview with Russian state television.

At 15, Valieva is one of the youngest athletes to have a positive test revealed at the Olympics, prompting outrage and questions about the role of the adults around her and the continuing scourge of Russian doping in international sport.

The IOC set up the entourage commission in 2010 as positive drug cases of athletes mounted in the 2000s, especially with the re-testing of samples of past Olympics.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/explainer-what-is-trimetazidine-tmz-the-drug-at-the-centre-of-doping-drama-452398">Explainer: What is trimetazidine (TMZ), the drug at the centre of doping drama</a>

Russia's state-backed doping scandal after the 2014 Sochi Olympics made more apparent that athletes often did not act alone but were supported by a wider network, including medics, coaches, agents and family and friends.

The commission can sanction individuals for a number of violations that include doping, unsportsmanlike conduct and harassment. Sanctions can range from reprimands to permanent exclusion from the Olympics.

On Sunday, however, it will be Valieva's future at the Games that is debated. A panel of three judges for CAS will hear arguments from the IOC, WADA and International Skating Union to reinstate a ban lifted by the Russian Anti-Doping Authority on Feb. 9.

At stake is Valieva`s entry in the women's single event on Tuesday. CAS has said they will notify all parties on Monday.

The fate of the gold medal that has still not been awarded for the Feb. 7 women's team event is likely to take longer to clear up.

The world's top anti-doping authority will investigate the entourage of 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva who tested positive for a banned drug, plunging her into a doping scandal at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

The world's top anti-doping authority will investigate the entourage of 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva who tested positive for a banned drug, plunging her into a doping scandal at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Valieva, whose Olympic future will be decided after a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing at 8:30 p.m. Beijing time (1230 GMT), effortlessly completed a clean run-through of her short programme in practice on Sunday. Watching her from the sidelines were her three coaches, Eteri Tutberidze, Sergei Dudakov and Daniil Gleikhengauz, as well as the team doctor Filipp Shvetsky and a physiotherapist. ALSO READ: Beijing 2022: Marius Lindvik strikes gold in ski jumping with a staggering 151.3-point second jump The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said in a statement to Reuters on Sunday that it would ask its independent Intelligence and Investigations Department to probe the coaches, doctors and other adults surrounding the athlete. Earlier, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it had formally asked WADA to launch an investigation. WADA also said that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) has indicated it has already started investigating the entourage because Valieva is a minor. Valieva tested positive for a banned heart drug at her national championships last December, but it took more than six weeks for her to be notified, allowing her to compete in Beijing. ALSO READ: Beijing Winter Olympics: US Could Prosecute Russians in Kamila Valieva doping case, says USADA Chief Her future at the Games, and a gold for the Russian Olympic Committee in the team event that she dominated on Monday, now hang in the balance amid a global outcry over Moscow`s doping history. Tutberidze, the most sought after figure skating coach in Russia, has not responded to Reuters emails. On Saturday, she said she was certain Valieva was "clean and innocent" in an interview with Russian state television. At 15, Valieva is one of the youngest athletes to have a positive test revealed at the Olympics, prompting outrage and questions about the role of the adults around her and the continuing scourge of Russian doping in international sport. The IOC set up the entourage commission in 2010 as positive drug cases of athletes mounted in the 2000s, especially with the re-testing of samples of past Olympics. ALSO READ: Explainer: What is trimetazidine (TMZ), the drug at the centre of doping drama Russia's state-backed doping scandal after the 2014 Sochi Olympics made more apparent that athletes often did not act alone but were supported by a wider network, including medics, coaches, agents and family and friends. The commission can sanction individuals for a number of violations that include doping, unsportsmanlike conduct and harassment. Sanctions can range from reprimands to permanent exclusion from the Olympics. On Sunday, however, it will be Valieva's future at the Games that is debated. A panel of three judges for CAS will hear arguments from the IOC, WADA and International Skating Union to reinstate a ban lifted by the Russian Anti-Doping Authority on Feb. 9. At stake is Valieva`s entry in the women's single event on Tuesday. CAS has said they will notify all parties on Monday. The fate of the gold medal that has still not been awarded for the Feb. 7 women's team event is likely to take longer to clear up.

WADA to investigate Russian Kamila Valieva's doping scandal at Beijing Winter Olympics

The international Olympic committee is launching an urgent appeal and that's because they're going to the court of arbitration for sport. This is after confirming that 15-year-old Russian skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance.

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: Russian skater in the deadlock after doping scandal confirmed

The United States could prosecute the Russians involved in figure skater Kamila Valieva’s doping case under the American Rodchenkov Act (RADA), the head of the U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, told Reuters on Friday.

The RADA bill was signed into U.S. law in 2020 and empowers American prosecutors to seek fines of up to $1 million and jail terms of up to 10 years, even for non-Americans, if actions have affected American athletes’ results.

Russian Valieva won gold in the team event on Monday but the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Friday the 15-year-old had earlier failed a drug test. The United States won silver and Japan bronze. read more

Olympic officials are now contesting Russia's decision to let her compete at the Beijing Winter Games.

"The act has been used to protect one Olympic Games," Tygart said, referring to last year's Tokyo Games. "It is going to be used to protect other Olympic Games when people continue to dope.

"You cannot make it up. We are living in the twilight zone. Clean athletes deserve better, and this poor young woman deserves better. She's getting chewed up (for doping) on top of being abused by the Russian state system."

The RADA gives U.S. authorities the power to prosecute individuals for doping schemes at international events involving American athletes, sponsors or broadcasters.

It was named after Grigory Rodchenkov, a former Russia anti-doping laboratory head who turned whistleblower and helped expose Russia's state-sponsored doping following the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

Russia has acknowledged some shortcomings in its implementation of anti-doping rules but denies running a state-sponsored doping programme.

Valieva delivered one of the highlights of the Beijing Games so far when she landed the first quadruple jumps by a woman in Olympic competition on Monday.

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Her Olympic dream, however, turned into a nightmare on Friday when the ITA revealed publicly that she had tested positive for banned angina drug Trimetazidine in a urine sample collected by Russian authorities at the national championships in St Petersburg on Dec 25.

The testing lab in Stockholm, Sweden, reported on Tuesday that her sample was positive, the day after she wowed the world and helped win the gold for her team, who are competing as the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) due to doping sanctions.

It was not immediately clear why there was such a delay between her test and the result, which allowed her to travel to Beijing and take part in the first of her two events.

"Whoever was dealing with it simply, absolutely should have expedited it," Tygart said. "It is not that difficult to do. A five-week delay for a substance like this should not have happened.

"It is a catastrophic failure of the system to allow the star of the Games to have her sample not reported back close to five weeks, and then it gets reported the day after they won the team event.

"You shouldn’t be in a government or sport and (be) able to dope athletes and there be no consequence. It was exactly what happened in state-sponsored doping, and this is why the Rodchenkov Act was passed. It's the only way to address this behaviour.

"Many of us were disappointed in the initial state-sponsored doping (in Russia) that was exposed back in 2015, that those who orchestrated and conspired to abuse young athletes ... were not held accountable by their sport or their own governments."

Russian athletes at the Games are not competing under their flag, and their anthem is not played at any ceremonies following sanctions imposed for the widespread doping across many sports exposed after the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

The sanctions are due to be lifted at the end of the year, but the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency cautioned earlier this month that Russia should not assume this would happen automatically.

The United States could prosecute the Russians involved in figure skater Kamila Valieva’s doping case under the American Rodchenkov Act (RADA), the head of the U.

The United States could prosecute the Russians involved in figure skater Kamila Valieva’s doping case under the American Rodchenkov Act (RADA), the head of the U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, told Reuters on Friday. The RADA bill was signed into U.S. law in 2020 and empowers American prosecutors to seek fines of up to $1 million and jail terms of up to 10 years, even for non-Americans, if actions have affected American athletes’ results. Russian Valieva won gold in the team event on Monday but the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Friday the 15-year-old had earlier failed a drug test. The United States won silver and Japan bronze. read more Olympic officials are now contesting Russia's decision to let her compete at the Beijing Winter Games. "The act has been used to protect one Olympic Games," Tygart said, referring to last year's Tokyo Games. "It is going to be used to protect other Olympic Games when people continue to dope. "You cannot make it up. We are living in the twilight zone. Clean athletes deserve better, and this poor young woman deserves better. She's getting chewed up (for doping) on top of being abused by the Russian state system." The RADA gives U.S. authorities the power to prosecute individuals for doping schemes at international events involving American athletes, sponsors or broadcasters. It was named after Grigory Rodchenkov, a former Russia anti-doping laboratory head who turned whistleblower and helped expose Russia's state-sponsored doping following the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Russia has acknowledged some shortcomings in its implementation of anti-doping rules but denies running a state-sponsored doping programme. Valieva delivered one of the highlights of the Beijing Games so far when she landed the first quadruple jumps by a woman in Olympic competition on Monday. Also Read: From Russia doping row to 'inedible' food: Controversies galore at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 Her Olympic dream, however, turned into a nightmare on Friday when the ITA revealed publicly that she had tested positive for banned angina drug Trimetazidine in a urine sample collected by Russian authorities at the national championships in St Petersburg on Dec 25. The testing lab in Stockholm, Sweden, reported on Tuesday that her sample was positive, the day after she wowed the world and helped win the gold for her team, who are competing as the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) due to doping sanctions. It was not immediately clear why there was such a delay between her test and the result, which allowed her to travel to Beijing and take part in the first of her two events. "Whoever was dealing with it simply, absolutely should have expedited it," Tygart said. "It is not that difficult to do. A five-week delay for a substance like this should not have happened. "It is a catastrophic failure of the system to allow the star of the Games to have her sample not reported back close to five weeks, and then it gets reported the day after they won the team event. "You shouldn’t be in a government or sport and (be) able to dope athletes and there be no consequence. It was exactly what happened in state-sponsored doping, and this is why the Rodchenkov Act was passed. It's the only way to address this behaviour. "Many of us were disappointed in the initial state-sponsored doping (in Russia) that was exposed back in 2015, that those who orchestrated and conspired to abuse young athletes ... were not held accountable by their sport or their own governments." Russian athletes at the Games are not competing under their flag, and their anthem is not played at any ceremonies following sanctions imposed for the widespread doping across many sports exposed after the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. The sanctions are due to be lifted at the end of the year, but the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency cautioned earlier this month that Russia should not assume this would happen automatically.

Beijing Winter Olympics: US Could Prosecute Russians in Kamila Valieva doping case, says USADA Chief

From Russia doping row to 'inedible' food: Controversies galore at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Friday was thrust into the spotlight at the Beijing Olympics after Russian figure skating gold medallist Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance but the result took weeks to be reported.

The 15-year-old sensation, who dazzled with her quadruple jumps to help the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) win gold in the team event on Monday, was tested by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) on Dec. 25 at the national championships

Her positive result, however, was reported from a WADA-accredited laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden, only on Tuesday, according to the International Testing Agency (ITA), the day after Valieva won the Olympic gold medal with her team.

"Unfortunately I will not be making any comment on this case," Anton Pohanka, Director of Stockholm`s Doping Control Laboratory at Karolinska University Hospital, the only WADA-accredited lab in Sweden, told Reuters.

He refused to explain the weeks-long delay for the sample result to be reported, an unusual gap given Russian athletes are competing in their third consecutive Olympics as ROC athletes, without their flag or anthem for state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Sochi Games.

Russia has acknowledged some shortcomings in its implementation of anti-doping rules but denies running a state-sponsored doping programme.

They are also the most tested team ahead of the Games with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) eager to avoid a repeat of doping scandals that tarnished previous Games.

David Howman, the former long-time Director General of WADA, told Reuters the timeline of events in this case made no sense.

"If the sample was taken... before the Games, why didn`t RUSADA push the Swedish lab to get the results?" he said.

"The other responsibility is with WADA. They knew what samples would have been taken and needed to be analysed," he said.

"And thirdly, the International Skating Union (ISU) would have known the samples that would have been collected.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-russia-doping-row-to-inedible-food-controversies-galore-at-beijing-winter-olympics-2022-452360">From Russia doping row to 'inedible' food: Controversies galore at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022</a>

All three parties would have had access to the ADAMs (Anti-Doping Administration &amp; Management System) systems, which tells you where and when samples were collected. Those are the questions that now need answering."

Valieva was provisionally banned by RUSADA on the day of her positive result on Feb. 8 but her suspension was lifted on Feb. 9 after a hearing with the Russian agency. Both the IOC and the International Skating Union will now appeal that decision, they have said.

WADA are no strangers to controversy, having played a key role in the Russian doping scandal, with the agency under fierce criticism for what was seen as a lack of oversight for RUSADA and WADA`s failure to keep Russia in check.

"The worst case of system failure in my time as president of WADA or in the entire time of the anti-doping movement is Russia," then WADA President Craig Reedie said in 2019.

"What it (scandal) taught us when it erupted was that we were not equipped to deal with such a large-scale programme."

WADA did eventually sanction Russia in December 2019 and barred the team from flying its flag at major sporting events for a four-year period.

That, however, was halved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with the sanctions set to end on Dec. 16. 
WADA, who had also reinstated RUSADA in 2018 after a three-year suspension, refused to comment on the case.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Friday was thrust into the spotlight at the Beijing Olympics after Russian figure skating gold medallist Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance but the result took weeks to be reported.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Friday was thrust into the spotlight at the Beijing Olympics after Russian figure skating gold medallist Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance but the result took weeks to be reported. The 15-year-old sensation, who dazzled with her quadruple jumps to help the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) win gold in the team event on Monday, was tested by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) on Dec. 25 at the national championships Her positive result, however, was reported from a WADA-accredited laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden, only on Tuesday, according to the International Testing Agency (ITA), the day after Valieva won the Olympic gold medal with her team. "Unfortunately I will not be making any comment on this case," Anton Pohanka, Director of Stockholm`s Doping Control Laboratory at Karolinska University Hospital, the only WADA-accredited lab in Sweden, told Reuters. He refused to explain the weeks-long delay for the sample result to be reported, an unusual gap given Russian athletes are competing in their third consecutive Olympics as ROC athletes, without their flag or anthem for state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Sochi Games. Russia has acknowledged some shortcomings in its implementation of anti-doping rules but denies running a state-sponsored doping programme. They are also the most tested team ahead of the Games with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) eager to avoid a repeat of doping scandals that tarnished previous Games. David Howman, the former long-time Director General of WADA, told Reuters the timeline of events in this case made no sense. "If the sample was taken... before the Games, why didn`t RUSADA push the Swedish lab to get the results?" he said. "The other responsibility is with WADA. They knew what samples would have been taken and needed to be analysed," he said. "And thirdly, the International Skating Union (ISU) would have known the samples that would have been collected. Also Read: From Russia doping row to 'inedible' food: Controversies galore at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 All three parties would have had access to the ADAMs (Anti-Doping Administration & Management System) systems, which tells you where and when samples were collected. Those are the questions that now need answering." Valieva was provisionally banned by RUSADA on the day of her positive result on Feb. 8 but her suspension was lifted on Feb. 9 after a hearing with the Russian agency. Both the IOC and the International Skating Union will now appeal that decision, they have said. WADA are no strangers to controversy, having played a key role in the Russian doping scandal, with the agency under fierce criticism for what was seen as a lack of oversight for RUSADA and WADA`s failure to keep Russia in check. "The worst case of system failure in my time as president of WADA or in the entire time of the anti-doping movement is Russia," then WADA President Craig Reedie said in 2019. "What it (scandal) taught us when it erupted was that we were not equipped to deal with such a large-scale programme." WADA did eventually sanction Russia in December 2019 and barred the team from flying its flag at major sporting events for a four-year period. That, however, was halved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with the sanctions set to end on Dec. 16. WADA, who had also reinstated RUSADA in 2018 after a three-year suspension, refused to comment on the case.

WADA back in the spotlight with Russian Kamila Valieva's doping case at Beijing Winter Olympics

The medal ceremony for the national figure skaters competition would have been postponed on Tuesday due to a positive doping test with the winning Russian team.

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: IOC postpones figure skating medal ceremony due to doping case

Russian triathlete Igor Polyanskiy has been banned for three years after testing positive for the banned substance EPO, World Triathlon said in a statement on Thursday.

The sample was collected during an out-of-competition test in July, meaning that Polyanskiy will be disqualified from all subsequent events.

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The 31-year-old took part in the men's individual race at the Tokyo Olympics, where he finished 43rd, and was part of the mixed relay team that came 14th.

"World Triathlon hereby imposes a period of ineligibility of three years on Igor Polyanskiy for the presence of EPO in his urine and blood samples in contravention to Article 2.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules (ADR)," the sport`s governing body said in a statement.

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"All the Athlete's results and points earned since 21 July 2021 are to be disqualified with all resulting consequences including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points and prize and appearance money."

Polyanskiy had the option to request the analysis of the `B` sample but waived that right in August.

Russian triathlete Igor Polyanskiy has been banned for three years after testing positive for the banned substance EPO, World Triathlon said in a statement on Thursday.

Russian triathlete Igor Polyanskiy has been banned for three years after testing positive for the banned substance EPO, World Triathlon said in a statement on Thursday. The sample was collected during an out-of-competition test in July, meaning that Polyanskiy will be disqualified from all subsequent events. ALSO READ: 'Dear brutal dictator Xi Jinping...': NBA player slams China over 'cultural genocide' in Tibet - Watch The 31-year-old took part in the men's individual race at the Tokyo Olympics, where he finished 43rd, and was part of the mixed relay team that came 14th. "World Triathlon hereby imposes a period of ineligibility of three years on Igor Polyanskiy for the presence of EPO in his urine and blood samples in contravention to Article 2.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules (ADR)," the sport`s governing body said in a statement. ALSO READ: After rescuing 100 members, FIFA claims 57 more refugees evacuated from Afghanistan "All the Athlete's results and points earned since 21 July 2021 are to be disqualified with all resulting consequences including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points and prize and appearance money." Polyanskiy had the option to request the analysis of the `B` sample but waived that right in August.

Doping: Russian triathlete Igor Polyanskiy suspended for three years

Weightlifting faces a fight for its Olympic future at the Tokyo Games, following decades dogged by corruption and doping scandals.

A pure strength and technique event, exemplifying the Olympic motto of "Citius, Altius, Fortius" -- "Faster, Higher, Stronger" -- it was one of the original sports at the first modern Olympics in 1896.

But 125 years later it faces expulsion from Paris 2024 with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) repeatedly warning the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) that the sport's Olympic status is hanging by a thread.

Weightlifting desperately needs a clean Games, but even that may not be enough to save it from the axe.

"The situation is becoming more and more grave," warned the IOC President Thomas Bach at the end of February.

"The executive committee expresses its extreme concern at the lack of significant changes with regard to the management and the culture within the IWF," Bach said.

"Many requested changes have been ignored by the IWF despite all the warnings we issued."

The IOC's patience has clearly almost run out for a sport that has recorded 110 doping offences at the Olympics -- more than a quarter of the total ever recorded across all sports -- and has seen 49 athletes stripped of their medals, according to an AFP count.

In order to distance itself from doping, weightlifting first changed all its bodyweight categories after the 1992 Barcelona Games so new "clean" records would be set.

Sadly, the exercise had to be repeated in 1998 and again after the Asian Games of 2018.

"If these concerns are not addressed in a satisfactory and timely way, the IOC executive committee will have to review the place of weightlifting on the programme of the Paris 2024 and future Olympic Games."

Culture of corruption

An explosive documentary by German TV channel ARD in January 2020 blew the lid off what it described as a "culture of corruption" running through the sport.

High-level athletes, it alleged, had been allowed to skirt doping controls and had seen their adverse test results altered in exchange for bribes.

Tamas Ajan, the IWF's long-standing Hungarian president, rejected the accusations as "lies" before resigning.

Five months later, Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren delivered a damning report spotlighting 40 positive doping controls that had been covered up by the IWF, and ex-boss Ajan.

The IOC ordered the IWF to implement wide-ranging reforms and last month it held a one-day congress to try to ratify a new constitution, but it ended in stalemate.

The IWF will reportedly reconvene in Doha in August to try again, but unless the deadlock can be broken -- and with more than 50 member federations reportedly dissenting that looks unlikely -- weightlifting could find itself out of the Olympic fold.

It will hardly come as a surprise because, even before the ARD revelations, powerhouse lifting nations such as China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Turkey had all suffered suspensions from international competition for repeated doping violations.

Weightlifters from Thailand, Egypt, Malaysia and Romania will not be on the stage at the Tokyo International Forum for the same reason.

And even if these Olympics, which begin on Saturday and run until August 4, go off without a doping hitch, Paris 2024 will still see a reduced weightlifting programme.

The IOC has already decided to shed four of the 13 weight divisions contested in Tokyo with the number of athletes slashed from 196 to 120. In Rio five years ago there were 260.

But Tokyo looks increasingly like being weightlifting's Olympic swansong if the IWF cannot get its tainted house in order.

"Some sports are considered to be more at risk than others (from doping) and, of course, the emphasis is on them," Olivier Niggli, the general manager of WADA, told AFP ahead of the Tokyo Games.

"Weightlifting is one of them."

&nbsp;

Weightlifting faces a fight for its Olympic future at the Tokyo Games, following decades dogged by corruption and doping scandals. A pure strength and technique event, exemplifying the Olympic motto of "Citius, Altius, Fortius" -- "Faster, Higher, Stronger" -- it was one of the original sports at the first modern Olympics in 1896.

Weightlifting faces a fight for its Olympic future at the Tokyo Games, following decades dogged by corruption and doping scandals. A pure strength and technique event, exemplifying the Olympic motto of "Citius, Altius, Fortius" -- "Faster, Higher, Stronger" -- it was one of the original sports at the first modern Olympics in 1896. But 125 years later it faces expulsion from Paris 2024 with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) repeatedly warning the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) that the sport's Olympic status is hanging by a thread. Weightlifting desperately needs a clean Games, but even that may not be enough to save it from the axe. "The situation is becoming more and more grave," warned the IOC President Thomas Bach at the end of February. "The executive committee expresses its extreme concern at the lack of significant changes with regard to the management and the culture within the IWF," Bach said. "Many requested changes have been ignored by the IWF despite all the warnings we issued." The IOC's patience has clearly almost run out for a sport that has recorded 110 doping offences at the Olympics -- more than a quarter of the total ever recorded across all sports -- and has seen 49 athletes stripped of their medals, according to an AFP count. In order to distance itself from doping, weightlifting first changed all its bodyweight categories after the 1992 Barcelona Games so new "clean" records would be set. Sadly, the exercise had to be repeated in 1998 and again after the Asian Games of 2018. "If these concerns are not addressed in a satisfactory and timely way, the IOC executive committee will have to review the place of weightlifting on the programme of the Paris 2024 and future Olympic Games." Culture of corruption An explosive documentary by German TV channel ARD in January 2020 blew the lid off what it described as a "culture of corruption" running through the sport. High-level athletes, it alleged, had been allowed to skirt doping controls and had seen their adverse test results altered in exchange for bribes. Tamas Ajan, the IWF's long-standing Hungarian president, rejected the accusations as "lies" before resigning. Five months later, Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren delivered a damning report spotlighting 40 positive doping controls that had been covered up by the IWF, and ex-boss Ajan. The IOC ordered the IWF to implement wide-ranging reforms and last month it held a one-day congress to try to ratify a new constitution, but it ended in stalemate. The IWF will reportedly reconvene in Doha in August to try again, but unless the deadlock can be broken -- and with more than 50 member federations reportedly dissenting that looks unlikely -- weightlifting could find itself out of the Olympic fold. It will hardly come as a surprise because, even before the ARD revelations, powerhouse lifting nations such as China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Turkey had all suffered suspensions from international competition for repeated doping violations. Weightlifters from Thailand, Egypt, Malaysia and Romania will not be on the stage at the Tokyo International Forum for the same reason. And even if these Olympics, which begin on Saturday and run until August 4, go off without a doping hitch, Paris 2024 will still see a reduced weightlifting programme. The IOC has already decided to shed four of the 13 weight divisions contested in Tokyo with the number of athletes slashed from 196 to 120. In Rio five years ago there were 260. But Tokyo looks increasingly like being weightlifting's Olympic swansong if the IWF cannot get its tainted house in order. "Some sports are considered to be more at risk than others (from doping) and, of course, the emphasis is on them," Olivier Niggli, the general manager of WADA, told AFP ahead of the Tokyo Games. "Weightlifting is one of them."

Doping-tainted weightlifting faces a fight for its Olympic future

Twenty-two Indian rowers have failed doping tests in a new blow to the country's battle against performance-enhancing drugs, officials said Tuesday.

The members of the national under-18 squad all tested positive for probenecid, a drug used to treat gout that is also a masking agent banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The tests were carried out in July last year at a training camp.

Rowing Federation of India secretary general M.V. Sriram told AFP "there is an error somewhere" and vowed to defend the teenagers.

"We are very sure that it is from a supplement which is approved by the Sports Authority of India," he said.

"Though maybe in that particular batch there may have been some spiking which we were not aware of."

India's National Anti-Doping Agency director general, Navin Agarwal, told the Times of India newspaper that the rowing federation "needs to examine why such a large number of junior athletes were allowed to consume this substance in the camp".

Rowing is a growing sport in India, which won a quadruple sculls title at the 2018 Asian Games.

Indian weightlifting has also been hit by a series of doping scandals, while athletics has also been tainted in recent months. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has called the incidents "very disturbing".

Twenty-two Indian rowers have failed doping tests in a new blow to the country's battle against performance-enhancing drugs, officials said Tuesday. The members of the national under-18 squad all tested positive for probenecid, a drug used to treat gout that is also a masking agent banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Twenty-two Indian rowers have failed doping tests in a new blow to the country's battle against performance-enhancing drugs, officials said Tuesday. The members of the national under-18 squad all tested positive for probenecid, a drug used to treat gout that is also a masking agent banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The tests were carried out in July last year at a training camp. Rowing Federation of India secretary general M.V. Sriram told AFP "there is an error somewhere" and vowed to defend the teenagers. "We are very sure that it is from a supplement which is approved by the Sports Authority of India," he said. "Though maybe in that particular batch there may have been some spiking which we were not aware of." India's National Anti-Doping Agency director general, Navin Agarwal, told the Times of India newspaper that the rowing federation "needs to examine why such a large number of junior athletes were allowed to consume this substance in the camp". Rowing is a growing sport in India, which won a quadruple sculls title at the 2018 Asian Games. Indian weightlifting has also been hit by a series of doping scandals, while athletics has also been tainted in recent months. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has called the incidents "very disturbing".

22 Indian rowers fail doping tests

The&nbsp;WADA&nbsp;report detailing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-to-announce-decision-on-appeal-against-wadas-doping-ban-269074">doping offences</a> during 2017 counted 1,804 cases, which was up sharply from the 1,595 recorded in 2016 although down from 1,929 in 2015.

The country with the most violations was Italy with 171 followed by France (128) and the United States (103).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-to-appeal-against-wadas-four-year-doping-ban-269167">Russia</a>, which earlier this month was hit with a four-year&nbsp;WADA&nbsp;ban from international sporting competition - including the next two Olympics - over doping, was fifth with 82 violations.

The country said on Thursday it will appeal the sanctions barring athletes from competing under its flag.

Body building, which was a medal sport at the 2019 Pan Am Games and is bidding to get on the Olympic program, had the most ADRVs with 266 followed by athletics (242) and cycling (218).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wada-committee-head-urges-russia-not-to-drag-out-ban-appeal-268194">WADA</a>&nbsp;director general Olivier Niggli said the results showed progress was being made in the fight against doping particularly in the area of investigation and intelligence-based testing.

The majority of violations (1,459) were positive tests with the other 345 classified as non-analytical, where no prohibited substance was detected but investigations found athletes or their support staff were in violation of the&nbsp;WADA&nbsp;Code.

"While in and out-of-competition testing remains critical to detect doping, events have recently shown that investigative work is becoming even more important as we look to protect clean athletes’ rights worldwide," said Niggli in a statement.

"...the report also reminds us of the importance of evidence-based education to prevent doping in the first place."

A total of 245,232 samples were collected in 2017 with the 1,804 ADRVs coming from 93 sports and disciplines involving athletes from 114 countries.

The WADA report detailing doping offences during 2017 counted 1,804 cases, which was up sharply from the 1,595 recorded in 2016 although down from 1,929 in 2015.

The WADA report detailing doping offences during 2017 counted 1,804 cases, which was up sharply from the 1,595 recorded in 2016 although down from 1,929 in 2015. The country with the most violations was Italy with 171 followed by France (128) and the United States (103). Russia, which earlier this month was hit with a four-year WADA ban from international sporting competition - including the next two Olympics - over doping, was fifth with 82 violations. The country said on Thursday it will appeal the sanctions barring athletes from competing under its flag. Body building, which was a medal sport at the 2019 Pan Am Games and is bidding to get on the Olympic program, had the most ADRVs with 266 followed by athletics (242) and cycling (218). WADA director general Olivier Niggli said the results showed progress was being made in the fight against doping particularly in the area of investigation and intelligence-based testing. The majority of violations (1,459) were positive tests with the other 345 classified as non-analytical, where no prohibited substance was detected but investigations found athletes or their support staff were in violation of the WADA Code. "While in and out-of-competition testing remains critical to detect doping, events have recently shown that investigative work is becoming even more important as we look to protect clean athletes’ rights worldwide," said Niggli in a statement. "...the report also reminds us of the importance of evidence-based education to prevent doping in the first place." A total of 245,232 samples were collected in 2017 with the 1,804 ADRVs coming from 93 sports and disciplines involving athletes from 114 countries.

New WADA report shows jump in global doping cases

Russia reeled from a four-year ban from global sports on Monday, with athletes in shock and the government quick to blame "anti-Russian hysteria".

The head of Russia's anti-doping agency meanwhile said his country had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-chance-of-winning-wada-ban-appeal-russia-anti-doping-chief-267261">"no chance"</a> of winning an appeal of the ban, which he described as a tragedy for clean athletes.

The World Anti-Doping Agency on Monday banned Russia from international competitions including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

It accused Russia of falsifying laboratory doping data handed over earlier this year to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-could-face-olympic-ban-in-wada-decision-due-monday-266958">investigators probing claims</a> of widespread doping.

Russia can appeal the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the head of its RUSADA anti-doping agency, Yuri Ganus, said he doubted it would be successful.

"There is no chance of winning this case in court," Ganus told AFP. "This is a tragedy. Clean athletes are seeing their rights limited."

Under the sanctions, Russian sportsmen and women will still be allowed to compete at the Olympics next year but only if they can demonstrate that they were not part of what WADA believes was a state-sponsored system of doping.

Russian government officials will be barred from attending any major events, while the country will lose the right to host, or even bid, for tournaments.

'This is politics'

While admitting there have been instances of doping, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-seeks-russia-ban-over-doping-data-manipulation-264626">Russian officials</a> say the country is no worse than any other. Some have accused other countries of pursuing the ban to remove Russian athletes from competition.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that it was "impossible to deny" that doping had taken place but that those involved had already been punished.

"This is the continuation of this anti-Russian hysteria that has already become chronic," Medvedev told Russian news agencies.&nbsp;

Many in Russian sports agreed.&nbsp;

"The decision that was taken today was political and not simply about sports," the head of Russia's Biathlon Union, Vladimir Drachev, told Russia-24 state television.&nbsp;

"I have no words... How can you mock athletes who have been preparing all their lives for this?" said Aslanbek Khushtov, who won wrestling gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Unfortunately this is politics, I don't smell any sport here," he told state news agency TASS.

The scandal has tainted Russia's sporting reputation since the revelation of large-scale state-sponsored doping aimed at improving its medal performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Russian track and field athletes were barred from competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics although Russians competing in other events were allowed to take part.

The ban was widened to include all events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, though Russian competitors who could prove they were above suspicion were able to compete as neutrals under the Olympic flag.

The heads of several Russian sports federations said Monday they were preparing to send athletes to the 2020 Olympics under a neutral flag.

'A proud Russian'

The country's athletes "must go to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-imposes-four-year-ban-on-russia-over-doping-data-manipulation-267195">the Olympics</a> whatever the situation," said the head of Russia's swimming federation, Vladimir Salnikov.

"Of course we'd prefer that our athletes participate under the Russian flag and hear their national anthem. But the circumstances may be different... (and) no one has the right to deprive innocent athletes of their dreams," he told state news agency RIA Novosti.

"If (participating under a neutral flag) is the only possibility, we must go and win. Our clean athletes, I am sure, will show that they are strong, even in these circumstances," said the head of the waterpolo, diving and synchronised swimming federation, Alexei Vlasenko.

Vyacheslav Fetisov, a Soviet-era ice hockey legend and now pro-government lawmaker, denounced what he called the "collective punishment" of Russia's athletes.

"I am a proud Russian. I was proud to represent my country," Fetisov, deputy chairman of the lower house State Duma's sports committee, told AFP.&nbsp;

"I will work tirelessly... to get today's athletes the opportunity I had to represent Russia,&nbsp;and be up on that podium. It was one of the great privileges of my life."

Russia reeled from a four-year ban from global sports on Monday, with athletes in shock and the government quick to blame "anti-Russian hysteria". The head of Russia's anti-doping agency meanwhile said his country had "no chance" of winning an appeal of the ban, which he described as a tragedy for clean athletes.

Russia reeled from a four-year ban from global sports on Monday, with athletes in shock and the government quick to blame "anti-Russian hysteria". The head of Russia's anti-doping agency meanwhile said his country had "no chance" of winning an appeal of the ban, which he described as a tragedy for clean athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency on Monday banned Russia from international competitions including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It accused Russia of falsifying laboratory doping data handed over earlier this year to investigators probing claims of widespread doping. Russia can appeal the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the head of its RUSADA anti-doping agency, Yuri Ganus, said he doubted it would be successful. "There is no chance of winning this case in court," Ganus told AFP. "This is a tragedy. Clean athletes are seeing their rights limited." Under the sanctions, Russian sportsmen and women will still be allowed to compete at the Olympics next year but only if they can demonstrate that they were not part of what WADA believes was a state-sponsored system of doping. Russian government officials will be barred from attending any major events, while the country will lose the right to host, or even bid, for tournaments. 'This is politics' While admitting there have been instances of doping, Russian officials say the country is no worse than any other. Some have accused other countries of pursuing the ban to remove Russian athletes from competition. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that it was "impossible to deny" that doping had taken place but that those involved had already been punished. "This is the continuation of this anti-Russian hysteria that has already become chronic," Medvedev told Russian news agencies. Many in Russian sports agreed. "The decision that was taken today was political and not simply about sports," the head of Russia's Biathlon Union, Vladimir Drachev, told Russia-24 state television. "I have no words... How can you mock athletes who have been preparing all their lives for this?" said Aslanbek Khushtov, who won wrestling gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "Unfortunately this is politics, I don't smell any sport here," he told state news agency TASS. The scandal has tainted Russia's sporting reputation since the revelation of large-scale state-sponsored doping aimed at improving its medal performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Russian track and field athletes were barred from competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics although Russians competing in other events were allowed to take part. The ban was widened to include all events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, though Russian competitors who could prove they were above suspicion were able to compete as neutrals under the Olympic flag. The heads of several Russian sports federations said Monday they were preparing to send athletes to the 2020 Olympics under a neutral flag. 'A proud Russian' The country's athletes "must go to the Olympics whatever the situation," said the head of Russia's swimming federation, Vladimir Salnikov. "Of course we'd prefer that our athletes participate under the Russian flag and hear their national anthem. But the circumstances may be different... (and) no one has the right to deprive innocent athletes of their dreams," he told state news agency RIA Novosti. "If (participating under a neutral flag) is the only possibility, we must go and win. Our clean athletes, I am sure, will show that they are strong, even in these circumstances," said the head of the waterpolo, diving and synchronised swimming federation, Alexei Vlasenko. Vyacheslav Fetisov, a Soviet-era ice hockey legend and now pro-government lawmaker, denounced what he called the "collective punishment" of Russia's athletes. "I am a proud Russian. I was proud to represent my country," Fetisov, deputy chairman of the lower house State Duma's sports committee, told AFP. "I will work tirelessly... to get today's athletes the opportunity I had to represent Russia, and be up on that podium. It was one of the great privileges of my life."

'Anti-Russian hysteria': Moscow on doping ban

Satnam Singh Bhamara, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/united-basketball-alliance-signs-satnam-singh-first-indian-to-be-drafted-into-national-basketball-association-23458">the first Indian player</a> to be drafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA), was provisionally suspended on Saturday after failing doping tests conducted by the Indian anti-doping agency.&nbsp;

Bhamara, who joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2015, failed an out-of-competition test conducted by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) last month and was handed a temporary ban on November 19. The test was held during the preparatory camp in Bengaluru for the South Asian Games. &nbsp;

The 23-year-old asserted that he is "clean" and denied the charge against him in a statement.&nbsp;

"Mr. (Satnam Singh) Bhamara is disputing the said charge and has requested a hearing before the NADA Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) in order to put forth his case," the statement said.

"Mr. Bhamara would like to state that he was and remains a clean competitor and has always played basketball fairly."

The 7 feet 2 inches tall, earlier skipped the 13th South Asian Games which began on December 1, citing personal reasons.&nbsp;

As per NADA's rules, Bhamara holds the right to request for the analysis of his 'B' sample, within seven working days of receiving the notice regarding Adverse Analytical Finding of his ‘A’ Sample. If Bhamara's 'B' sample also comes out positive, then a NADA panel will take a call on imposing punishment or not.

If found guilty of doping, a four-year ban on first-time offenders can be imposed on Bhamara.&nbsp;

So far, it is not known whether Bhamara opted for the analysis of his 'B' sample or not.

Bhamara, created history in 2015 when he was picked by Dallas Mavericks in the NBA draft. He did not play any game in the NBA, but went on to play in the National Basketball League of Canada after signing a deal with St John's Edge in September 2018.

Bhamara has also represented in India in major tournaments like Asian Games, 2018 Commonwealth Games, and 2019 World Cup Qualifiers.

A Netflix documentary on Bhamara 'One in a Billion' was also made, which reflects his journey from a small village in Punjab to getting selected fur the Mavericks.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Satnam Singh Bhamara, the first Indian player to be drafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA), was provisionally suspended on Saturday after failing doping tests conducted by the Indian anti-doping agency.

Satnam Singh Bhamara, the first Indian player to be drafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA), was provisionally suspended on Saturday after failing doping tests conducted by the Indian anti-doping agency. Bhamara, who joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2015, failed an out-of-competition test conducted by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) last month and was handed a temporary ban on November 19. The test was held during the preparatory camp in Bengaluru for the South Asian Games. The 23-year-old asserted that he is "clean" and denied the charge against him in a statement. "Mr. (Satnam Singh) Bhamara is disputing the said charge and has requested a hearing before the NADA Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) in order to put forth his case," the statement said. "Mr. Bhamara would like to state that he was and remains a clean competitor and has always played basketball fairly." The 7 feet 2 inches tall, earlier skipped the 13th South Asian Games which began on December 1, citing personal reasons. As per NADA's rules, Bhamara holds the right to request for the analysis of his 'B' sample, within seven working days of receiving the notice regarding Adverse Analytical Finding of his ‘A’ Sample. If Bhamara's 'B' sample also comes out positive, then a NADA panel will take a call on imposing punishment or not. If found guilty of doping, a four-year ban on first-time offenders can be imposed on Bhamara. So far, it is not known whether Bhamara opted for the analysis of his 'B' sample or not. Bhamara, created history in 2015 when he was picked by Dallas Mavericks in the NBA draft. He did not play any game in the NBA, but went on to play in the National Basketball League of Canada after signing a deal with St John's Edge in September 2018. Bhamara has also represented in India in major tournaments like Asian Games, 2018 Commonwealth Games, and 2019 World Cup Qualifiers. A Netflix documentary on Bhamara 'One in a Billion' was also made, which reflects his journey from a small village in Punjab to getting selected fur the Mavericks. (with inputs from agencies)

India's first NBA player suspended after failing dope test

US swimmer Conor Dwyer, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been suspended 20 months for doping after an arbitration panel found he had testosterone pellets implanted in his body, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said Friday.

USADA had sought a four-year ban after Dwyer tested positive in out-of-competition tests collected on November 15, November 27 and December 20 of 2018.

But an independent three-member panel of the American Arbitration Association ruled a 20-month suspension was appropriate in light of the fact that Dwyer relied on outside medical advice when he allowed the treatment, in which the pellets are inserted under the skin near the hip.

According to the arbitrators, Dwyer "thought of it more as a treatment relating to his mental health, and unrelated to his physical performance in sport, in the way it was presented to him."

The suspension of Dwyer, who won relay gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio games and 200m freestyle bronze in Rio, is dated from December 21, 2018, the date his provisional suspension was imposed pending arbitration.

He withdrew from the 2019 US World Championships team, and he will not be eligible to swim at the 2020 US Olympic trials before his suspension ends in August of next year.

Shortly after the ruling was announced, Dwyer posted a statement on Instagram announcing his retirement from professional swimming.

USADA said Dwyer's urine samples showed the presence of prohibited anabolic agents of external origin.

In giving him only a 20-month suspension, arbitrators found that Dwyer stressed to his "life coach" adviser and a doctor he recommended that any treatment must not violate anti-doping rules. After cursory research, they told him it did not.

"Whether Respondent's misguided belief was appropriate for an experienced Olympian with extensive anti-doping education, as argued by USADA, is not the standard to be applied with respect to this question," the arbitration panel wrote.

"The Panel notes that Respondent did inquire, as was his duty. He was credible in his testimony that he believed what he was told."

Neither Dwyer nor his advisers contacted USADA, which runs a hotline for athletes with questions about drugs and supplements.

"It's frustrating that Mr Dwyer did not take advantage of this support and hopefully this case will convince others to do so in order to protect fair and healthy competition for all athletes," USADA chief Travis Tygart said.

US swimmer Conor Dwyer, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been suspended 20 months for doping after an arbitration panel found he had testosterone pellets implanted in his body, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said Friday.

US swimmer Conor Dwyer, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been suspended 20 months for doping after an arbitration panel found he had testosterone pellets implanted in his body, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said Friday. USADA had sought a four-year ban after Dwyer tested positive in out-of-competition tests collected on November 15, November 27 and December 20 of 2018. But an independent three-member panel of the American Arbitration Association ruled a 20-month suspension was appropriate in light of the fact that Dwyer relied on outside medical advice when he allowed the treatment, in which the pellets are inserted under the skin near the hip. According to the arbitrators, Dwyer "thought of it more as a treatment relating to his mental health, and unrelated to his physical performance in sport, in the way it was presented to him." The suspension of Dwyer, who won relay gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio games and 200m freestyle bronze in Rio, is dated from December 21, 2018, the date his provisional suspension was imposed pending arbitration. He withdrew from the 2019 US World Championships team, and he will not be eligible to swim at the 2020 US Olympic trials before his suspension ends in August of next year. Shortly after the ruling was announced, Dwyer posted a statement on Instagram announcing his retirement from professional swimming. USADA said Dwyer's urine samples showed the presence of prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. In giving him only a 20-month suspension, arbitrators found that Dwyer stressed to his "life coach" adviser and a doctor he recommended that any treatment must not violate anti-doping rules. After cursory research, they told him it did not. "Whether Respondent's misguided belief was appropriate for an experienced Olympian with extensive anti-doping education, as argued by USADA, is not the standard to be applied with respect to this question," the arbitration panel wrote. "The Panel notes that Respondent did inquire, as was his duty. He was credible in his testimony that he believed what he was told." Neither Dwyer nor his advisers contacted USADA, which runs a hotline for athletes with questions about drugs and supplements. "It's frustrating that Mr Dwyer did not take advantage of this support and hopefully this case will convince others to do so in order to protect fair and healthy competition for all athletes," USADA chief Travis Tygart said.

US Olympic swimmer Dwyer suspended 20 months for doping

The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi has been suspended for up to six months for not conforming to international standards, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Thursday.

The suspension, which took effect on Tuesday, prohibits the NDTL from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including all analyses of urine and blood samples.

Any samples not yet tested or undergoing a confirmation procedure will be moved to another WADA-accredited laboratory.

WADA said in a statement that it had found non-conformities with the International Standard for Laboratories during a site visit.

If the laboratory satisfies WADA's Laboratory Expert Group that it has addressed the issues it may apply for early reinstatement.

WADA also said it could extend the suspension for another six months should the laboratory not address non-conformities.

The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi has been suspended for up to six months for not conforming to international standards, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Thursday.

The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi has been suspended for up to six months for not conforming to international standards, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Thursday. The suspension, which took effect on Tuesday, prohibits the NDTL from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including all analyses of urine and blood samples. Any samples not yet tested or undergoing a confirmation procedure will be moved to another WADA-accredited laboratory. WADA said in a statement that it had found non-conformities with the International Standard for Laboratories during a site visit. If the laboratory satisfies WADA's Laboratory Expert Group that it has addressed the issues it may apply for early reinstatement. WADA also said it could extend the suspension for another six months should the laboratory not address non-conformities.

WADA suspends India dope testing laboratory

Just like other sports federations in the country, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=bcci">Board of Control for Cricket in India</a> (BCCI) has also come under the ambit of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).&nbsp;

India's cricket board&nbsp;had concerns about the standard of NADA dope testing kits and had contracted an independent service provider for sample collection.&nbsp;

"They had two-three concerns," said sports secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya after his meeting with BCCI chief executive Rahul Johri.&nbsp;

"The first was quality of the dope testing kits. We assured them the kit we're using is an international standard and recognised by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)."

BCCI&nbsp;also agreed to&nbsp;bear the extra expenses for&nbsp;better kits and superior dope control officers.&nbsp;

Julaniya said that all sports are the same and&nbsp;everyone has to follow the same rules, "BCCI does not have discretion to say no," he added.&nbsp;

"I explained to them that you don't have discretion, you don't decide whether you'd follow the law or not. The law applies to all uniformly," he said. He made it clear that they could not make an exception for cricket.

Earlier, the BCCI had insisted&nbsp;on handling its doping analysis and sanctions in-house, rebuffing pressure from India's government and the World Anti-Doping Agency to come under the ambit of India's WADA-accredited national anti-doping body.&nbsp;

But the request has been turned down.&nbsp;

"NADA, as and when it wants to test, will carry out the tests like it does with all other athletes," Julaniya said.

"The WADA code gives the authority to the national anti-doping agency to carry out all testing in its territory, irrespective of the nationality of the athletes."

On the decision, BCCI's chief Johri, said, "We have to follow the law of the land &amp; BCCI is committed to follow the law that exists."

"We have raised quite a few issues which the sports secretary said will be addressed by them," he told reporters.

"We have agreed to bear the differential cost of high-quality testing," Johri added.&nbsp;

The BCCI is the world's richest cricket body and generates about 70 per cent of the sport's global revenues.

Just like other sports federations in the country, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also come under the ambit of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

Just like other sports federations in the country, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also come under the ambit of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). India's cricket board had concerns about the standard of NADA dope testing kits and had contracted an independent service provider for sample collection. "They had two-three concerns," said sports secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya after his meeting with BCCI chief executive Rahul Johri. "The first was quality of the dope testing kits. We assured them the kit we're using is an international standard and recognised by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)." BCCI also agreed to bear the extra expenses for better kits and superior dope control officers. Julaniya said that all sports are the same and everyone has to follow the same rules, "BCCI does not have discretion to say no," he added. "I explained to them that you don't have discretion, you don't decide whether you'd follow the law or not. The law applies to all uniformly," he said. He made it clear that they could not make an exception for cricket. Earlier, the BCCI had insisted on handling its doping analysis and sanctions in-house, rebuffing pressure from India's government and the World Anti-Doping Agency to come under the ambit of India's WADA-accredited national anti-doping body. But the request has been turned down. "NADA, as and when it wants to test, will carry out the tests like it does with all other athletes," Julaniya said. "The WADA code gives the authority to the national anti-doping agency to carry out all testing in its territory, irrespective of the nationality of the athletes." On the decision, BCCI's chief Johri, said, "We have to follow the law of the land & BCCI is committed to follow the law that exists." "We have raised quite a few issues which the sports secretary said will be addressed by them," he told reporters. "We have agreed to bear the differential cost of high-quality testing," Johri added. The BCCI is the world's richest cricket body and generates about 70 per cent of the sport's global revenues.

BCCI now comes under the ambit of NADA

As <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/virat-kohli-and-team-attends-practice-session-ahead-of-south-africa-challenge-224017">Indian team gears up for its first match</a> in the ongoing Cricket World Cup, Men in Blue's lethal pacer Jasprit Bumrah was taken for a doping test on Monday.

Dope control official took the pacer for conducting a test during the team's practice session at the Rose Bowl stadium in Southampton.

There were a total of two sittings in the test. In the first round, Bumrah was taken for a urine test and after 45 minutes, the blood sample of the pacer was taken.

Under every ICC event, every Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) player has to undergo a doping test conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

A BCCI source confirmed that Bumrah was indeed taken for a doping test.

However, the source did not reveal whether any other player is scheduled to undergo a doping test.

As Indian team gears up for its first match in the ongoing Cricket World Cup, Men in Blue's lethal pacer Jasprit Bumrah was taken for a doping test on Monday. Dope control official took the pacer for conducting a test during the team's practice session at the Rose Bowl stadium in Southampton.

As Indian team gears up for its first match in the ongoing Cricket World Cup, Men in Blue's lethal pacer Jasprit Bumrah was taken for a doping test on Monday. Dope control official took the pacer for conducting a test during the team's practice session at the Rose Bowl stadium in Southampton. There were a total of two sittings in the test. In the first round, Bumrah was taken for a urine test and after 45 minutes, the blood sample of the pacer was taken. Under every ICC event, every Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) player has to undergo a doping test conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). A BCCI source confirmed that Bumrah was indeed taken for a doping test. However, the source did not reveal whether any other player is scheduled to undergo a doping test.

Jasprit Bumrah undergoes doping test

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has begun to build cases against drug cheats with the help of raw data retrieved from a Moscow laboratory as the Russia doping investigation enters a new and perhaps final phase, WADA said on Thursday.

Gunter Younger, WADA's director of intelligence, told the Foundation board that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-retrieves-more-than-2000-samples-from-tainted-moscow-lab-214962">first cases built on data mined from the infamous lab</a> had been turned over to international federations and he expected that work to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter this year.

After forcing Russian authorities in January to surrender raw data stored in the Moscow lab and later securing thousands of urine and blood samples, WADA is in the process of analysing that material and connecting the dots that could lead to hundreds more sanctions.

Younger reported that 24 million documents of data have been analysed and are being compared with multiple other sources, including Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) data obtained through a confidential source in 2015.

"We have already started, one federation has already received a package," Younger told Reuters. "There was a very high degree of matching between the data collected in January and the LIMS data.

"The strongest cases we have now identified.

"We will now start with case one we consider strongest, get into the data base get the raw data and with our raw data we go to our lab experts.

"The lab experts look at raw data and say yes this is a really strong case go ahead. Then we prepare all the evidence and approach the federation."

WADA has been under immense pressure to deal with Russia since a 2015 report outlined evidence of state-backed, systematic doping in Russian athletics which was amplified a year later when a report by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren revealed doping and testing manipulation across many sports.

The heat was turned up last September when the WADA executive committee, ignoring the outrage of numerous athletes groups, voted to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) before it had fulfilled the requirements laid out in a Roadmap to Compliance, including access to data in the Moscow lab.

After being bombarded by criticism and with an end to the long-running doping saga now in sight, a vindicated WADA president Craig Reedie is confident that history will show they made the right decision by provisionally reinstating RUSADA.

"Successfully getting the data and then the samples was the real game changer," Reedie told Reuters. "The accusation is that we were weak on Russia but if you look at it, it was our Compliance Review Committee who decided to try to break the logjam on the compliance of RUSADA.

"Instead of waiting for Russia to come to us we actually went to them saying we will make you compliant if you deal with these conditions and they did," Reedie added.

"Was it the right decision, yes it was, loud and clear and we have delivered. I would be happy if the rest of the world now understood WADA did the correct thing."

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has begun to build cases against drug cheats with the help of raw data retrieved from a Moscow laboratory as the Russia doping investigation enters a new and perhaps final phase, WADA said on Thursday.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has begun to build cases against drug cheats with the help of raw data retrieved from a Moscow laboratory as the Russia doping investigation enters a new and perhaps final phase, WADA said on Thursday. Gunter Younger, WADA's director of intelligence, told the Foundation board that the first cases built on data mined from the infamous lab had been turned over to international federations and he expected that work to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter this year. After forcing Russian authorities in January to surrender raw data stored in the Moscow lab and later securing thousands of urine and blood samples, WADA is in the process of analysing that material and connecting the dots that could lead to hundreds more sanctions. Younger reported that 24 million documents of data have been analysed and are being compared with multiple other sources, including Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) data obtained through a confidential source in 2015. "We have already started, one federation has already received a package," Younger told Reuters. "There was a very high degree of matching between the data collected in January and the LIMS data. "The strongest cases we have now identified. "We will now start with case one we consider strongest, get into the data base get the raw data and with our raw data we go to our lab experts. "The lab experts look at raw data and say yes this is a really strong case go ahead. Then we prepare all the evidence and approach the federation." WADA has been under immense pressure to deal with Russia since a 2015 report outlined evidence of state-backed, systematic doping in Russian athletics which was amplified a year later when a report by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren revealed doping and testing manipulation across many sports. The heat was turned up last September when the WADA executive committee, ignoring the outrage of numerous athletes groups, voted to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) before it had fulfilled the requirements laid out in a Roadmap to Compliance, including access to data in the Moscow lab. After being bombarded by criticism and with an end to the long-running doping saga now in sight, a vindicated WADA president Craig Reedie is confident that history will show they made the right decision by provisionally reinstating RUSADA. "Successfully getting the data and then the samples was the real game changer," Reedie told Reuters. "The accusation is that we were weak on Russia but if you look at it, it was our Compliance Review Committee who decided to try to break the logjam on the compliance of RUSADA. "Instead of waiting for Russia to come to us we actually went to them saying we will make you compliant if you deal with these conditions and they did," Reedie added. "Was it the right decision, yes it was, loud and clear and we have delivered. I would be happy if the rest of the world now understood WADA did the correct thing."

WADA's Russian investigation enters new phase

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Tuesday it had retrieved more than 2,000 samples from a tainted Moscow laboratory that will be used to strengthen cases against athletes who may have cheated.

WADA said in a statement a five-person team retrieved 2,262 samples from the laboratory, which had been split into A and B samples contained within&nbsp;4,524 collection bottles.

All samples targeted in advance of the mission were located and extracted and are currently being sent to a WADA-accredited laboratory outside of Russia.

"These samples will be used to strengthen cases against those who may have cheated and may exonerate athletes who have not committed an anti-doping rule violation," WADA Intelligence and Investigations Director Gunter Younger, who is leading the process, said in a statement.

WADA also said the authentication process of the Moscow data it extracted in January, one of the final hurdles to be cleared in the Russian Anti-Doping Agency's (RUSADA) conditional reinstatement, is close to completion.

According to WADA, a progress report on that process will be sent in early May to the independent Compliance Review Committee and an update will be presented at the May 15-16 WADA Executive Committee and Foundation Board meetings in Montreal.

WADA voted last September, amid widespread protests, to conditionally restore RUSADA's accreditation as long as it allowed inspectors access to the Moscow lab and data to which it had long been denied.

RUSADA was suspended in 2015 after a WADA-commissioned report outlined evidence of systematic, state-backed doping in Russian athletics. Another report the following year documented more than 1,000 doping cases across dozens of sports, notably at the Winter Olympics that Russia hosted in Sochi in 2014.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Tuesday it had retrieved more than 2,000 samples from a tainted Moscow laboratory that will be used to strengthen cases against athletes who may have cheated.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Tuesday it had retrieved more than 2,000 samples from a tainted Moscow laboratory that will be used to strengthen cases against athletes who may have cheated. WADA said in a statement a five-person team retrieved 2,262 samples from the laboratory, which had been split into A and B samples contained within 4,524 collection bottles. All samples targeted in advance of the mission were located and extracted and are currently being sent to a WADA-accredited laboratory outside of Russia. "These samples will be used to strengthen cases against those who may have cheated and may exonerate athletes who have not committed an anti-doping rule violation," WADA Intelligence and Investigations Director Gunter Younger, who is leading the process, said in a statement. WADA also said the authentication process of the Moscow data it extracted in January, one of the final hurdles to be cleared in the Russian Anti-Doping Agency's (RUSADA) conditional reinstatement, is close to completion. According to WADA, a progress report on that process will be sent in early May to the independent Compliance Review Committee and an update will be presented at the May 15-16 WADA Executive Committee and Foundation Board meetings in Montreal. WADA voted last September, amid widespread protests, to conditionally restore RUSADA's accreditation as long as it allowed inspectors access to the Moscow lab and data to which it had long been denied. RUSADA was suspended in 2015 after a WADA-commissioned report outlined evidence of systematic, state-backed doping in Russian athletics. Another report the following year documented more than 1,000 doping cases across dozens of sports, notably at the Winter Olympics that Russia hosted in Sochi in 2014.

WADA retrieves more than 2,000 samples from tainted Moscow lab

India's Manpreet Kaur, who won women's shot put gold at the 2017 Asian athletics championships, has received a four-year ban after testing positive for banned substances, the country's anti-doping body (NADA) has said.

Kaur failed doping tests four times in 2017, the body said, including at the Asian championships in Bhubaneswar, where she won with a throw of 18.28m, and in the first leg of the Asian grand prix in China, where her winning throw of 18.86m was a national record.

NADA had formed a disciplinary panel to hear the case and handed down the ban, which was backdated to July 2017 when the 29-year-old was provisionally suspended.

Kaur, who can appeal the sanction, will lose her gold medals from both meets, NADA Director General Navin Agarwal said.

India's Manpreet Kaur, who won women's shot put gold at the 2017 Asian athletics championships, has received a four-year ban after testing positive for banned substances, the country's anti-doping body (NADA) has said.

India's Manpreet Kaur, who won women's shot put gold at the 2017 Asian athletics championships, has received a four-year ban after testing positive for banned substances, the country's anti-doping body (NADA) has said. Kaur failed doping tests four times in 2017, the body said, including at the Asian championships in Bhubaneswar, where she won with a throw of 18.28m, and in the first leg of the Asian grand prix in China, where her winning throw of 18.86m was a national record. NADA had formed a disciplinary panel to hear the case and handed down the ban, which was backdated to July 2017 when the 29-year-old was provisionally suspended. Kaur, who can appeal the sanction, will lose her gold medals from both meets, NADA Director General Navin Agarwal said.

Indian shot-putter Manpreet Kaur handed four-year doping ban

Azeri weightlifter Valentin Hristov was stripped of his 2012 Olympics 56-kg bronze medal on Friday after he was one of three athletes to test positive for banned substances in re-tests conducted by the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC said Hristov's London Games sample tested positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid (oralturinabol) when it was re-analysed.

Anis Ananenka of Belarus, who finished 43rd in the men’s 800m, was also disqualified for the same substance, while fellow Belarussian Alena Matoshka, 25th in the women’s hammer throw, was the third athlete to be disqualified. Her sample tested positive with the steroid oxandrolone.

Previously 48 anti-doping violations were found in more than 500 reanalysis of London Games samples. Mostly were for anabolic steroids.

The IOC stores and regularly re-tests samples from past Olympic Games with methods that did not exist at the time. In an effort to protect clean athletes and the integrity of the competition, the IOC also looks out for substances that were not known at the time.

Samples since the 2004 Athens Olympics have been stored and reanalysed systematically.

More than 110 adverse findings have been found in Olympic Games since 2004 through re-testing of samples.

The reanalysis of 2012 samples, using the latest scientific methods, will continue before the statute of limitations is reached in 2020, the IOC said in November.

Azeri weightlifter Valentin Hristov was stripped of his 2012 Olympics 56-kg bronze medal on Friday after he was one of three athletes to test positive for banned substances in re-tests conducted by the International Olympic Committee.

Azeri weightlifter Valentin Hristov was stripped of his 2012 Olympics 56-kg bronze medal on Friday after he was one of three athletes to test positive for banned substances in re-tests conducted by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC said Hristov's London Games sample tested positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid (oralturinabol) when it was re-analysed. Anis Ananenka of Belarus, who finished 43rd in the men’s 800m, was also disqualified for the same substance, while fellow Belarussian Alena Matoshka, 25th in the women’s hammer throw, was the third athlete to be disqualified. Her sample tested positive with the steroid oxandrolone. Previously 48 anti-doping violations were found in more than 500 reanalysis of London Games samples. Mostly were for anabolic steroids. The IOC stores and regularly re-tests samples from past Olympic Games with methods that did not exist at the time. In an effort to protect clean athletes and the integrity of the competition, the IOC also looks out for substances that were not known at the time. Samples since the 2004 Athens Olympics have been stored and reanalysed systematically. More than 110 adverse findings have been found in Olympic Games since 2004 through re-testing of samples. The reanalysis of 2012 samples, using the latest scientific methods, will continue before the statute of limitations is reached in 2020, the IOC said in November.

IOC sanctions three athletes from London 2012 Games for doping

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