Algerian athlete Nacera Merar receives three-year ban for anti-doping rule violation

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

The Algerian athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for metabolites of a prohibited substance in a urine sample provided in-competition 5 March 2024 during the women’s up to 79 kg event at the 13th Fazza Dubai 2024 World Para Powerlifting World Cup.

The Prohibited Substance was oxandrolone. Oxandrolone is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS).

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 25 April 2024 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 programs) for three years from 25 April 2024 to 24 April 2027. 

The results obtained by the athlete in the women’s up to 79 kg competition at the 13th Fazza Dubai 2024 World Para Powerlifting World Cup are automatically disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. All results obtained by the athlete from the date the sample was collected (5 March 2024) until the commencement of the provisional suspension (25 April 2024) 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.