PRESS RELEASE
AIU BANNED NIJEL AMOS FOR THREE YEARS
The Athletic Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned Nijel Amos for three years, from the temporary suspension date of July 12, 2022, to July 11, 2025, for violating the World Athletic Anti-Doping Rules (ADR). Results on and after June 4, 2022 are disqualified.
The Botswana runner’s accusation – Presence of a Prohibited Substance (Rule 2.1 ADR) and Use of a Prohibited Substance (Rule 2.2 ADR) – is due to an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) in a non-competition urine sample provided by Amos. On 4 June 2022 in Rabat, Morocco. GW1516 metabolites (a Prohibited Substance under the WADA 2022 List of Prohibited Substances; category S4 Hormone and Metabolic Modulators) were found in the sample. GW1516 changes the way the body metabolizes fat. It was originally synthesized and evaluated for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and other disorders caused by metabolic problems, but is now not approved for human use. Additionally, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has advised on health risks for athletes.
At Amos’s request, Sample B was analyzed (on September 1, 2022) and confirmed the AAF in Sample A. The athlete then requested that a supplement he allegedly consumed prior to the AAF also be analyzed for the presence of GW1516. On February 17, 2023, AIU told Amos “GW1516 not detected in open or closed bottle” the supplement he presented for analysis.
On March 21, 2023, due to the lack of disclosure for the AAF, a Notice of Indictment was issued by the AIU to Amos for committing Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) under Rule 2.1 ADR and Rule 2.2 ADR. He was informed that the ADRVs required a four-year ban and was asked to confirm how he wanted to pursue the matter.
Amos returned a signed Acknowledgment of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acknowledgment of Consequences Form on April 10, 2023. As such, it received a one-year reduction in the prohibition of early admission and sanction under Rule 10.8.1 of ADR. .
Details are here: https://bit.ly/Nijel-Amos-Decision
Wednesday, 03 May 2023