The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Nigerian Para powerlifter Kafilat Almaruf for three years for an anti-doping rule violation.
Almaruf tested positive for an anabolic agent in an out-of-competition urine sample provided on 11th July 2024. Following an investigation, she accepted the anti-doping rule violation and the proposed sanctions.
The ban, effective from 19th August 2024, will prevent Almaruf from competing in any sporting activity until 18th August 2027. All her results from 11th July 2024 onwards have been disqualified, including any medals, points, and prizes.
The IPC in a statement said: “Almaruf’s(GC/C/IRMS), differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The GC/C/IRMS analysis confirmed the presence of an anabolic agent of exogenous origin in Almaruf’s urine sample.
“Exogenous anabolic steroids are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) and are prohibited at all times.
“The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 19 August 2024 pending a resolution of her case. The athlete accepted the commission of the ADRV and the consequences proposed by the IPC.
“As a result of her 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 19 August 2024 until 18 August 2027.
“All results obtained by the athlete from the date the sample was collected (11 July 2024) until the commencement of the provisional suspension (19 August 2024) are also disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
“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.”
This sanction effectively rules Almaruf out of the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
