Nathalia Kholodilina, a Russian racewalker, tested positive in September 2014 for the banned performance-enhancing substance Metenolone.
She was subsequently served with a two-year suspension.
When the World Anti-Doping Agency finally gained access to the Moscow-based LIMS system, the Laboratory Information
Management System, an earlier sample was retested and found also to contain Metenolone.
On November 7, 2025, in circumstances where the Athlete had failed to respond to the Notice of Charge, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) issued a decision finding that the Athlete had committed an ADRV in relation to the June 2014 Sample, and imposing an additional period of Ineligibility of two
years (based on aggravating circumstances), with the Disqualification of the Athlete’s results from June 6, 2014, until September 13, 2014.
In November 2025, the Kholodilina filed an appeal against the appealed decision to the National Center for Sports Arbitration.
The AIU, the Athlete and the World Anti-Doping Agency (the “Parties”) subsequently entered into a Case Resolution Agreement in accordance with Rule 10.8.2 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (“ADR”) pursuant to which:
“8.1. The Athlete admitted to having committed an ADRV pursuant to Rule 32.2(b) of the 2014-2015 IAAF Competition Rules in relation to the June 2014 Sample;
8.2. The Parties agreed that no additional period of Ineligibility was to be imposed on the Athlete under the applicable IAAF Competition Rules based on aggravating circumstances; and
8.3. All competitive results of the Athlete from (and including) 6 June 2014 until 13 September
2014 were disqualified with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any
medals, points and prizes.”
What is metenolone?
Metenolone, known by brand names like Primobolan, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) used primarily to treat anemia due to bone marrow failure. Available as oral acetate or injectable enanthate, it is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derivative with moderate anabolic and weak androgenic effects, lacking estrogenic risk. It is a controlled substance in many countries.
It is on the WADA list of banned substances.
