Ukrainian athlete Roman Bondarenko banned three years for anti-doping rule violation
Para swimmer returned adverse analytical findings for prohibited substances at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games 21 Jan 2025
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para swimming athlete Roman Bondarenko of Ukraine for a period of three years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code (the Code).
The Ukrainian athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for prohibited substances in a urine sample provided in-competition on 2 September 2024 during the men’s 200m freestyle S2 final at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The substances were methamphetamine (D-) and amfetamine. Amfetamine is a metabolite of methamfetamine but its presence may also be due to the consumption of amfetamine. The prohibited substances are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 Prohibited List under the class S6A (Non-Specified Stimulants). They are non-Specified Substances for the purposes of the Code.
The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 6 September 2024 pending a resolution of his case.
The athlete accepted the commission of the ADRV, and the consequences proposed by the IPC. As a result of his 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 6 September 2024 until 5 September 2027.
The results obtained by the athlete in the men’s 200m freestyle S2 final at the Games are disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
All other results obtained by the athlete in the Paris Games are also disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
In addition, all other results obtained by the athlete from the date the sample was collected until the commencement of the provisional suspension are also disqualified.
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.