Ukrainian athlete Nataliia Oliinyk banned three years for anti-doping rule violation

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

The Ukrainian athlete returned adverse analytical findings (AAFs) for the administration of boldenone and testosterone in a urine sample provided out-of-competition on 27 August 2024 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The sample was collected as part of the pre-Games testing programme.

Oliinyk’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 analyses confirmed the presence of both boldenone and testosterone and/or its metabolites of exogenous origin in Oliinyk’s urine sample.

Exogenous boldenone and testosterone are both included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 (anabolic androgenic steroids) and are prohibited at all times.

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 1 September 2024 pending a resolution of her case and was not permitted to compete in the Paris Games.

After a lengthy investigation, in which the athlete initially argued that the source of the AAFs was her consumption of contaminated meat, the athlete admitted her commission of the ADRV and accepted 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 1 September 2024 until 31 August 2027.

All results obtained 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 sample, 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.