On Thursday, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) revealed the names of 5 athletes who’ve been provisionally suspended or banned for anti-doping violations over the previous two months. Among the many sanctioned athletes was Mexican distance runner Jose Eduardo Rodriguez, who just lately received prize cash on Canadian soil at Montreal’s La Classique d’athlétisme.
The AIU has banned Jose Eduardo Rodrigeuz (Mexico) for 3 years from 1 July 2024 for Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Boldenone). DQ outcomes from 19 Could 2024
Particulars right here: https://t.co/mxQeewpeKo— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) July 11, 2024
On Could 19, Rodriguez supplied an in-competition urine pattern after successful the lads’s steeplechase occasion on the Grande Prêmio Brasil de Atletismo-Niterói, in Rio de Janeiro. In response to the report, 4 weeks later, the lab evaluation revealed the presence of the anabolic androgenic steroid boldenone and its metabolite.
Rodriguez indicated a number of prospects for the way the performance-enhancing drug entered his system, together with an injection administered by a physician in April 2024, or a pre-workout complement he bought in Rio. On July 2, the AIU said it was not happy along with his clarification, and that he would obtain a three-year suspension.
After his constructive check on Could 19, Rodriguez competed at Montreal’s La Classique d’athlétisme on June 21, inserting third within the males’s 2,000m steeplechase with a time of 5:32.78–a brand new Mexican nationwide report. His end earned him CAD $300 for putting within the prime three, with Canadian 2020 Tokyo Olympian John Homosexual receiving zero {dollars} for fourth. Rodriguez’s consequence will likely be disqualified, and Homosexual will likely be awarded third.
“It’s surprising and disgusting,” mentioned La Classique d’athlétisme meet director Laurent Godbout. “There’s no method we may have recognized this info on the meet on June 21. We are going to by no means be capable to recuperate the cash, however we will definitely ship the award to John Homosexual.”
Homosexual gave an announcement to Canadian Working upon studying about his competitor’s suspension. “Whereas the presence of doping in our sport will not be information in and of itself, it definitely hits nearer to dwelling when one can draw such a tangible line between their very own performances and the influence of a constructive check by a direct competitor. The repercussions for me are minor on this case, however it’s a sobering reminder of how endemic substance abuse is in athletics. Being instantly affected by doping solely serves to strengthen for me the essential position of normal testing and the work of WADA and the AIU to uphold the integrity of our sport and the athletes like myself who select to pursue it cleanly.”
Rodriguez is a four-time nationwide champion in Mexico and was fifth within the 1,500m on the 2022 NACAC Championships within the Bahamas. He will likely be ineligible to compete till July 1, 2026.
For the reason that publication of this story, Rodriguez has acknowledged his wrongdoing and despatched a written promise to fulfill director Laurent Godbout, stating that he’ll return the $300 prize cash through Mexican submit.
