Tunisian athlete Yassine Gharbi suspended three years for anti-doping rule violation

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has suspended Tunisian Para athletics athlete Yassine Gharbi for a period of three years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV). 

The Tunisian, who competes in the men's T54 class, returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for Prohibited Substances in a urine sample provided Out-of-Competition on 7 December 2020.

The substance was boldenone and its metabolite. The substance is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2020 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS).

As a result of his violation, Gharbi will be ineligible for competition for three (3) years from 5 February 2021 to 4 February 2024. The results obtained by the Athlete from the date the Sample was collected will also be disqualified, with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in his or her sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in his or her 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 WADC, the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code (Code) in compliance with the general principles of the World Anti-Doping Code (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.