USA sprinter Erriyon Knighton has been handed a four-year ban after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld appeals from World Athletics and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against a decision not to suspend him. The 21-year-old tested positive for trenbolone, a banned substance used for muscle growth, in March 2024.

Knighton initially avoided a ban following an independent arbitrator's ruling and was cleared to compete at the 2024 Olympics. However, the CAS has now imposed an immediate ban, preventing him from participating in any future competitions, including the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

The Case Against Knighton

Knighton, who finished fourth in the 200m at the Paris Olympics, was not selected for the USA team for the World Championships. He had submitted evidence claiming that the adverse findings were due to meat contamination. However, World Athletics and WADA found the evidence "fell short of the required proof of source" and was "statistically impossible."

The CAS panel stated, "There is no proof that would support the conclusion that oxtail imported into the USA would be likely to contain trenbolone residues at the level required to have caused the athlete's adverse analytical finding."

Impact on Knighton's Career

This ruling is a significant blow to Knighton's career. As one of the rising stars in USA sprinting, the four-year ban will keep him out of competition until 2028, missing key events like the 2024 and 2028 Olympics. This decision also raises questions about the future of his career and the impact on USA's sprinting team.

Other Doping Cases

In related news, Ethiopian middle-distance runner Diribe Welteji will also miss the World Championships after the CAS upheld a provisional suspension while her doping case is heard. The 23-year-old, who won 1500m silver at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, was charged with failing or refusing to submit a doping sample by the Ethiopian Anti-Doping Authority in late August.

Conclusion

The doping bans of both Erriyon Knighton and Diribe Welteji highlight the ongoing challenges in maintaining fair play in athletics. As the sport continues to grapple with doping issues, the focus remains on ensuring a level playing field for all athletes.