In February 2024, refugee team member Dominic Lokolong Atiol from South Sudan tested positive for trimetazadine in an out-of-competition test in Eldoret, Kenya.
Atiol claimed that he received several injections in December 2023 and January 2024, as well as tablets prescribed by a physician. While he provided some sort of documentation to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the AIU requested assistance from the Kenyan Anti-Doping Agency (ADAK).
It was determined that the documentation had been tampered with. After two years of investigations, and Atiol not responding to charges, the AIU has banned Atiol for a period of eight years.
Atiol used trimetazidine to enhance his performance. However, it may not have done much for him as the 23-year-old has only run as fast as 3:50.69 in the 1500m and 1:57.9h (hand-timed) in the 800m.
Apparently, Atiol also lived in the Kakuma Refugee camp. Initially, he was served a provisional suspension. Atiol enjoyed support from the Tegla Laroupe Foundation camp until the charges were announced.
Trimetazidine is a metabolic modulator under the WADA 2024 Prohibited List in the category S4 Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. It is a non-specified substance prohibited at all times.
