From the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU)
“The AIU has provisionally suspended former Zambian Olympian and current USA Track & Field (USATF) licensed coach, Gerald Phiri. The suspension comes as part of an ongoing joint investigation with the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) triggered by three athletes — all coached by Phiri.”
They all returned Adverse Analytical Findings for the same prohibited substance.
Between July 2023 and August 2024, three track athletes tested positive for Metabolites of GW1516 (also known as Cardarine). It is a Metabolic Modulator. GW1516 is a non-specified substance prohibited at all times under the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
At this stage of the investigation, the AIU alleges that Phiri has committed Anti-Doping Rules Violations for possessing GW1516. He was also in possession when he was an Athlete in 2018 and 2019 and for possessing Meldonium (another metabolic modulator) as an Athlete Support Person in 2024. He is also cited for failing to cooperate with the investigation by providing false and inaccurate information.
Phiri has been provisionally suspended as of March 17, 2025. By the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, he has the right to make a written submission to the AIU to lift his provisional suspension.
He was a sprinter
Phiri holds a 10.00 wind-aided or 10.03 100-metre sprint personal best. His best 200m is 20.29. Phiri mostly helped the 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m US relay teams. His strength may have come in the indoor 60m event. As a Texas A&M athlete ran internationally, clocking a 6.52 second PB.
Phiri is the Zambian record holder in the 100m and 200m (10.06 and 20.29). He lived in Zambia for a few years before his family migrated to Great Britain where he grew up. Later, he moved to Orlando, FLA.
From Wikipedia: Meldonium is prescribed for cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic conditions. This is due to its anti-ischaemic and cardioprotective effects, achieved by inhibiting β-oxidation and activating glycolysis. Athletes have used meldonium to enhance recovery and (controversially) performance.
Updated (March 19, 2025 7:30 AM PST): One of Phiri’s athletes was Issamade Asinga, the Zambian-American teenage sprinter who tested positive for the same banned substance GW1516.
Asinga’s defence was that he ate some Gatorade gummies that may have contained the cancer-causing drug.
