Thiago Braz

Brazilian athlete, Thiago Braz, a pole vaulter has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). He tested positive for the banned substance ostarine.

Braz, now age 29, won the gold medal during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the bronze in Tokyo. He faces a four-year ban.

Ostarine is an androgen receptor modulator that helps muscle growth and provides similar effects to testosterone.

He is a three-time national champion and finished top-5 twice during World Athletics Championships.

His best vaults are national and South American area records both outdoors and indoors at 6.03m and 5.95m, respectively.

Fantu Jimma

Ethiopian marathon runner Fantu Eticha Jimma ran a personal best of 2:22:52 when finishing second during the 2022 Paris Marathon. She has been banned for five years. Jimma’s results dating back to January 20th this year have been annulled.

Jimma tested positive for the prohibited substance EPO in two separate tests in 2023.

The results were viewed by the AIU as a single anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) incurring a standard ban of four years, but she received an additional two years for “aggravating circumstances.” This will effectively end the 35-year-old’s career.

In a statement explaining the decision, the AIU said, “The athlete has provided two urine samples, more than three weeks apart from each other, which following analysis revealed the presence of EPO.

“This constitutes clear evidence of the athlete’s use of a prohibited substance (EPO) on multiple occasions and justifies an increase of the period of ineligibility based on aggravating circumstances.”

As usual, Jimma claimed that she had been treated by a doctor for vitamins.

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