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South Sudan’s Dominic Lokolong Atiol who competes on the refugee team is the second team member to test positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PED).
Lokolong Atiol was provisionally suspended after testing positive for trimetazidine, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Wednesday.
The AIU has provisionally suspended Dominic Lokolong Atiol (Athlete Refugee Team) for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substance (Trimetazidine).
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) March 20, 2024
Details here: https://t.co/Y8LF9j2o9f pic.twitter.com/fpAfixGjwU
The AIU advised the athlete with a notice of the allegation.
The 24-year-old specializes in the middle-distance 800-metre and 1500-metre events. His personal bests are 1:57.90 and 3:50.69, respectively. He was training in Kenya with the legendary Tegla Laroupe, who has been outspoken against doping, especially by those in her home country.
Lololon Atiol is the second Olympic refugee team member to receive a suspension. Last August Fouad Idbafdil of Morocco received a three-year sentence for testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO), the red blood cell booster. He admitted to taking the PED, therefore his suspension was shortened from four to three years.
Trimetazidine (TMZ) is used to treat heart-related conditions like angina. It helps metabolize fatty acids, which helps your body use oxygen. The drug allows for more blood flow to your heart. It can also improve overall performance in someone with a heart-related disease.
