Iranian Para athlete Amir Khosravani - 3-year ban for doping. GETTY IMAGES

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para athletics athlete Amir Khosravani for three years for an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code. 

The Iranian athlete provided an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for a Prohibited Substance in an out-of-competition urine Sample collected on 10 October 2023. The substance was the oxymetholone metabolite 2ξ-hydroxymethyl-17α-methyl-5α-androstan-3α,6β,17β-triol, a long-term metabolite of both oxymetholone and methasterone. 

The substance is included in the 2023 Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) under Class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids. It is a non-specified substance under the Code. Khosravani was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 16 January 2024 and he accepted the findings of the ADRV and the consequences. He will be ineligible from 16 January 2024 until 15 January 2027 for competition and other sporting activities (other than approved anti-doping education or rehabilitation programmes).

All of Amir Khosravani's results from the date of the Sample collection (10 October 2023) until the start of the Provisional Suspension will also be disqualified, with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

Each athlete is solely responsible for the substances found in his/her sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a Prohibited Substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in the Athlete's Sample, whether or not the Athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a Prohibited Substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault. 

Amir Khosravani will not be competing at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. GETTY IMAGES
Amir Khosravani will not be competing at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. GETTY IMAGES

Curiously, US sprint star Erriyon Knighton has been cleared by after testing positive for the metabolite of trenbolone, a steroid similar to clenbuterol used for muscle growth and therefore a banned substance, in a surprise test on 26 March, according to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Maybe the WADA will have anytyhing to say and the case may not be closed.

He was suspended for two weeks and, following an appeal, underwent an evidential hearing between 14 and 16 June, during which the arbitrator admitted that "the most likely cause of the positive result was the consumption of meat contaminated with trenbolone". 

As a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sport environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code in accordance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, and expects to lead the fight against doping in sport for impaired athletes in the spirit of sport. 

The International Paralympic Committee is the international governing body for five Para sports: World Para Athletics, World Para Ice Hockey, World Para Powerlifting, World Para Shooting and World Para Swimming. Its vision is to create an inclusive world through Para sports.