Australian 800 metre specialist Peter Bol has had his provisional suspension lifted after his B sample was tested. However, he is not out of the woods yet, as an investigation continues. Apparently, his B sample did not test positive, rather returned an “atypical” result according to Sport Integrity Australia.
Bol’s A sample returned an adverse analytical finding consistent with EPO use. His B sample did not. Since the announcment of his provisional suspension, Bol has been adamant that he is clean.
According to a statement from Sport Integrity Australia, “The results of the Part A Sample analysis for the Athlete was an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) (positive doping test) for Erythropoietin Receptor Agonists (ERA):rEPO (recombinant EPO, or rEPO). The results of the Part B Sample analysis is an Atypical Finding (ATF) for recombinant EPO.”
— Peter Bol OLY (@pbol800) February 14, 2023
The suspension that started on January 10, 2023 has been lifted until the investigation is concluded.
“The investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Sport Integrity Australia will, as part of its investigation, proceed to consider whether any anti-doping rule violation/s have been committed. It is not possible to provide a timeframe at this point.”
Bol’s lawyer has gone on record to say that the way in wich Sport Integrity Australia announced the initial test results was wrong. According to lawyer Paul Greene, the process is to wait until the B sample is tested. Greene alleges that Bol’s world was turned upside down by the announcement and suspension. The 28-year-old is releived to have the suspension lifted.
“The fact that they announced this is a disgrace. The fact that they didn’t keep this confidential, he was never charged … he was never shown a lab document. He was told he was positive and then it was announced.
“It’s unbelievable what happened. They should be embarrassed by the way this case was handled.”
Greene, Bol and the athletics community await the outcome of the B sample’s atypical finding and the investigation.
Bol has run the 800m event as fast as 1:44.00, which is listed as the Oceania and Australian records. He ran that time at the Paris Diamond League meet in June 2022. In August he picked up a silver medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. During the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, he finished fourth. Bol is a three-time national champion in the 800m in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
