Uzbekistan's Iskandar Tursunbaev receives ban for anti-doping rule violation

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para powerlifting athlete Iskandar Tursunbaev for a period of three years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV). 

The Uzbek athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Prohibited Substance in three of his urine samples that were provided both out-of-competition and in-competition. The samples were collected from him on 26 March 2021, 17 April 2021 and 7 May 2021.

The substances were Methasterone and its metabolites and Oxymetholone metabolite. The substances are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2021 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids.

James Sclater, Anti-Doping Director at the IPC, explained: “The athlete achieved unexpected results at the Manchester 2021 Para Powerlifting World Cup, a competition in which he was tested. Based on these results, he was immediately targeted for out-of-competition testing. Because of the IPCs reactive and intelligence-based testing programme, the athlete returned two additional AAFs.”

As a result of his violation, Tursunbaev will be ineligible for competition for 3 years from 19 May 2021 to 18 May 2024. The results obtained by the Athlete from the date the Samples were 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 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 (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.