Moroccan athlete Said Asli receives three-year ban for anti-doping rule violation

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para athletics athlete Said Asli for a period of three years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code.

The Moroccan athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Prohibited Substance in a urine sample provided in-competition on 11 March 2023 during the men’s 400m T46 final at the Marrakech 2023 World Para Athletics Grand Prix.

The substance was methyltestosterone. The substance is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2023 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids).

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 17 April 2023 pending a resolution of his case.

The athlete subsequently accepted the commission of the ADRV and the Consequences proposed by the IPC.

As a result of his violation, the athlete will be ineligible for competition and other sporting activities (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programs) for three years from 17 April 2023 to 16 April 2026.

The results obtained by the athlete in the men’s 400m T46 final at the Marrakech 2023 World Para Athletics Grand Prix are disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. All other results obtained by the athlete at the Marrakech 2023 World Para Athletics Grand Prix and from the date the sample was collected until the commencement of the Provisional Suspension are also disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in their sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in their bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.

As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code in compliance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, expecting that, in the spirit of sport, it will lead the fight against doping in sport for athletes with an impairment.