The winner of the 2024 Generali Geneva Marathon in Switzerland, Kibrom Weldemicael has been given a six-year doping ban after testing constructive for 2 substances. Weldemicael was provisionally suspended simply days earlier than he was presupposed to run on the 2024 Paris Olympics for Eritrea, now, the 37-year-old can be unable to compete till 2030, and his marathon win can be annulled.
Based on the Athletics Integrity Unit, Weldemicael offered an in-competition urine pattern after his win at Might’s Geneva Marathon in 2:09:57. Three months later, a WADA laboratory in Cologne, Germany discovered an antagonistic discovering in his Might 5 pattern for the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) and furosemide.
The AIU has banned Kibrom Weldemicael (Eritrea) for six years from 9 August 2024 for Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (EPO and furosemide). DQ outcomes from 5 Might 2024
Particulars right here: https://t.co/SUDVz6c0Ro— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) December 3, 2024
EPO enhances the blood’s oxygen-carrying capability by growing pink blood cell manufacturing, which may enhance endurance and efficiency in long-distance runners. Furosemide is a diuretic (sometimes called a “water tablet”), which helps the physique do away with extra salt and water by growing urine manufacturing. The drug is usually used to reduce weight shortly or to masks the usage of different performance-enhancing medicine. EPO and furosemide are each prohibited substances on the WADA 2024 Prohibited Record.
Based on the AIU, Weldemicael was notified of the antagonistic discovering in particular person on the Paris Olympics, the place he was making ready to run for Eritrea within the males’s marathon. He was given a provisional suspension on Aug 9, after failing to file a written submission on why the suspension shouldn’t be imposed. Every week later, the athlete offered an evidence saying he had not taken EPO, and mentioned his pink blood cell depend was excessive as a result of he had been coaching in high-altitude areas for his whole profession. He additionally requested a take a look at of his B pattern.
He was set to race the Olympics for Eritrea – marathon – only a few days after the constructive was introduced. He was within the Olympic village with the crew and coaches.
Good riddance! https://t.co/RZPNoAHnCl
— McKirdy Educated (@McKirdyTrained) December 3, 2024
Weldemicael didn’t pay for the price of the B pattern take a look at by the deadline, waiving his proper to the evaluation. He later claimed he didn’t know what EPO or furosemide had been, had not taken both and was unable to clarify the presence of each in his physique.
The AIU mentioned they reviewed the athlete’s rationalization and it was clear he had dedicated an ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation).
The 37-year-old, who ran his marathon private greatest of two:07:25 this 12 months, can be ineligible to compete till Might 2030. His end result from the 2024 Geneva Marathon can be disqualified, however his win from Maratón BP Castellón in Spain in February will stand. His greatest efficiency at a serious marathon was his eighth-place end on the 2015 London Marathon.
