The Ethiopian Anti-doping Authority Monday announced that it has banned athlete Taye Girma Arti from partaking in any sporting activity for the next 64 months over the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The 26-year- old road runner tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin or EPO twice.
On 6 April 2021, the Athlete provided a urine sample in-Competition at the 50th Ethiopian athletics Championships’ held in Addis Ababa,
Three months later on 20 June, he again provided a urine Sample, In-Competition during the ‘Telesia International Trophy 10k’ road race in Italy.
The results of both tests revealed the presence of prohibited performance‐enhancing drug EPO, the national Anti-doping Authority said.
The athlete has since been on temporary suspension for further investigations and legal proceedings.
On Monday, the Anti-doping Authority said the athlete was found guilty of violating world athletics anti-doping rules.
The authority said he was hit with a five year and four-month ban from any sport.
The ruling has also disqualified Taye’s competition results obtained at the 2021 Ethiopian Athletics Championships.
The athlete’s results obtained since 6 April 2021 are also disqualified.
MG/as/APA