© Copyright – 2024 – Athletics Illustrated
Olympic Village raid
Olympic 800-metre bronze medallist Djamel Sedjati from Algeria was allegedly the focus of an anti-doping raid from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Apparently, the dramatic raid in the Olympic Village took place just days before the final event.
The incident, which did not get much in the way of media attention, involved French anti-doping officers who executed a search linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged doping practices.
According to the French sports publication L’Equipe, sources close to the investigation have indicated that coach Amar Benida was the target in the raid.
“Nothing (important) happened. These are things that athletes can face,” Sedjati told a press conference for the medal winners after Saturday’s race.
“Thank God it was only a small inconvenience. I was quickly able to get back to normal.”
As anti-doping agencies must follow the legal processes carefully, any further news on the raid may take time to become public.
The race was the fastest all-time with seven of the eight finishers clocking sub-sub 1:43 performances. The final was won by Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyo in 1:41:19. Taking silver was Canadian Marco Aarop in 1:41.20 recording a new Canadian and North American record. Sedjati recovered from the raid and finished third in 1:41.50. American Bryce Hoppel set an American record of 1:41.67.
Results
| Pos | Athlete | Nat | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel WANYONYI | KEN | 1:41.19 PB |
| 2 | Marco AROP | CAN | 1:41.20 AR |
| 3 | Djamel SEDJATI | ALG | 1:41.50 |
| 4 | Bryce HOPPEL | USA | 1:41.67 NR |
| 5 | Mohamed ATTAOUI | ESP | 1:42.08 |
| 6 | Gabriel TUAL | FRA | 1:42.14 |
| 7 | Tshepiso MASALELA | BOT | 1:42.82 PB |
| 8 | Max BURGIN | GBR | 1:43.84 |
Kobielski’s appeal denied by CAS
Norbert Kobielski’s appeal against the provisional suspension July 23, 2024 by the AIU has been dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Kobielski was provisionally suspended for doping a few days before the Paris Olympic Games. The AIU announced his provisional suspension on July 23.
It was first determined that he tested positive for norephedrine pentedrone on July 15, but denied doing so.
Salina Jebet banned
Another Kenyan, marathon runner Salina Jebet tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone as well as tampering or attempted tampering with any part of Doping Control. Her results from July 16, 2023 on have been disqualified. Her personal best is from 2019 and remains at 2:30:28.
Jebet’s sample was taken at the Cool City Liupanshui Summer Marathon in Liupanshui, CHN.
Her claim was that she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and was provided with prescriptions for the steroid, however, there are no records related to the prescription from the hospital. The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya was involved. Jebet has been suspended for seven years.
Erriyon Knighton may become a martyr
While the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) exchange vitriol in their war of words, the AIU has decided to appeal to the CAS on the Erriyon Knighton case.
Knighton tested positive for the performance enhancer trenbolone during an out-of-competition test in March, according to USADA. USADA’s arbitration panel determined the substance was ingested from contaminated meat. This is the same reason used by Shelby Houlihan when she claimed that her positive test came from contaminated meat she digested from a burrito.
China had 23 swimmers all test positive for the same performance-enhancing drug, trimetazidine. Prior to the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, the positive test results were kept secret and recently it was revealed. WADA has defended the outcome, and USADA has in turn lashed out at WADA. And WADA retaliated.
The war of words continues.
Meanwhile, Knighton may be a case that the AIU or WADA will want to hold up against the cacophony of accusations between China and the USA. If so, the swimming debacle could escalate.
This is not over.
