Uzbek athlete Farhod Umirzakov accepts nine-year ban for anti-doping rule violations

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para powerlifting athlete Farhod Umirzakov of Uzbekistan for a period of nine years for committing multiple anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code (the Code).

The Uzbek athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Prohibited Substance in a sample provided out-of-competition on 27 April 2024. The substance was furosemide. Furosemide is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 Prohibited List under class S5 (Diuretics and Masking Agents). It is listed as a specified substance for the purposes of the Code and is prohibited at all times.

During the doping control session, the athlete attempted to tamper with the doping control process, including by attempting to bribe the Doping Control Officer. 

The athlete also admitted to the use of a second prohibited substance (growth hormone). Growth hormone is included on the WADA 2024 Prohibited List under class S2.2 (Peptide Hormones and their Releasing Factors). It is listed as a Non-Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times.

The athlete was charged with the commission of ADRVs under Articles 2.1, Article 2.2 and Article 2.5 of the IPC IF Rules, in respect of (i) the presence of a Prohibited Substance in his A Sample; (ii) the Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance; and (iii) Tampering or Attempted Tampering with the doping control process. 

The IPC also considered that aggravating circumstances were present which justified the imposition of a period of Ineligibility greater than the standard sanction. Considering the seriousness of the athlete’s multiple violations and his attempts to subvert the doping control process, an additional period of Ineligibility of two years was warranted.

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 14 June 2024 pending a resolution of his case.

The athlete admitted his commission of the ADRVs, and the consequences proposed by the IPC. As a result of his prompt admission, the applicable period of Ineligibility was reduced by one year from ten years to nine years.

As a result of his violations, the athlete will be ineligible for competition and all other sporting activities (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programmes) for nine years, commencing on 14 June 2024 and expiring on 13 June 2033.

All results obtained by the athlete from the date the samples were collected (27 April 2024) through to the start of the provisional suspension (14 June 2024), have been disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. 

Jude Ellis, IPC Head of Anti-Doping, said: “This is the longest period of ineligibility that the IPC has imposed on an athlete for a first-time violation, which reflects the seriousness of the athlete’s misconduct. It is of fundamental importance that the integrity of the doping control process is maintained. Any attempt by an athlete or anyone else subject to the Code to tamper with or subvert the doping control process will be dealt with by the IPC in the strongest possible terms.”

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 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.