Nigeria's Latifat Tijani receives three-year ban for anti-doping rule violation

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

The Nigerian athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for the administration of testosterone and/or its precursors in a urine sample provided out-of-competition on 6 August 2023.

Tijani’s urine sample was analysed using a specialised type of analysis, known as Gas Chromatography/Combustion/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS), that differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The GC/C/IRMS analysis confirmed the presence of testosterone and/or its metabolites of exogenous origin in Tijani’s urine sample.

Exogenous testosterone is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2023 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 and is prohibited at all times.

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 20 October 2023 pending a resolution of her case.

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

As a result of her violation, the athlete will be ineligible for competition and other sporting activities (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programmes) for three years from 20 October 2023 to 19 October 2026. 

All results obtained by the athlete from the date the sample was collected until the commencement of the Provisional Suspension are 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 (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.