Spanish Runner Mohamed Katir Suspended Ahead of Paris Olympics for Missed Doping Tests

"Today, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) [the independent agency that conducts the controls for World Athletics] informed me of a provisional suspension for what it considers a violation of the rules resulting from three missed controls over the past twelve months (location). During the disciplinary procedure, the AIU accepted my provisional suspension," announced Mo Katir in a statement.

With this sanction, his participation in these Olympic Games is compromised. A blow for the athlete of Moroccan origin who plans to appeal the decision to the competent authorities. Mo Katir has 15 days to request a provisional measure from the AIU. Failing that, he will have to turn to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), based in Switzerland. The Murcian has undergone nearly 25 controls over the past 12 months, but will have to justify these three absences, the subject of his suspension, reports Marca.

"Over the past months and years, I have undergone a large number of out-of-competition anti-doping controls, both on urine and blood samples, without any problem. It is important to emphasize that this is not a case of doping with prohibited substances, nor a refusal of out-of-competition anti-doping controls. It is simply a case of filling in location data on the ADAMS platform that may have led to location errors," he specified.

For its part, the Spanish Athletics Federation has announced the suspension of the athlete’s license, reaffirming "its firm and energetic commitment against doping in sport". The Federation recalls that as a result, Mo Katir "no longer meets the eligibility criteria" of the Federation, specifying that it will remain attentive to the decisions of the competent authorities in response to the actions that Katir plans to take to defend his rights. The athlete has the support of his family and the authorities of Murcia.