Iranian world champion could lose para athletics title over doping
One of Iran’s gold medalists at September’s World Para Athletics Championships could be stripped of the title after testing positive for doping at the competition in New Delhi, the chairman of the country’s Sports Federation for the Disabled announced.
Iran collected nine gold medals, along with two silvers and four bronzes, to finish third in the medals table at the showpiece event.
“The athlete’s A-sample returned a positive result for a banned substance,” Jalil Kouhpayezadeh said on Monday, adding: “The athlete was tested twice during the competition, but it’s unclear which specific sample triggered the positive result. “
Regarding the potential punishment for the Iranian contestant, Kouhpayezadeh stated: “The rules dictate the length of a ban based on the substance involved, and in this case, the athlete is likely facing a standard four-year suspension.
“However, the final decision is not yet made. The outcome will depend on the explanation we present, and the ‘B’ sample still has to be analyzed. A final verdict will only be issued if that second test confirms the initial finding.
“A final ruling will be issued only once the doping violation is confirmed. For now, no sanction has been imposed against the athlete; we have simply been notified that the initial sample has tested positive for performance-enhancing substances.
“We have begun correspondence with the International Paralympic Committee through our National Paralympic Committee, but a final decision has not yet been announced,” added the Iranian official.
All of Iran’s gold medals in New Delhi came in the field disciplines, with Amirhossein Alipour, Mehran Nekouei-Majd, Aliasghr Javanmardi, and Yasin Khosravi capturing the ultimate prize across different men’s shot put classes.
Hassan Bajoulvand claimed the top honor in the men’s discus throw F11 event, while Saied Afrooz, Sadeq Beit-Sayyah, and Ali Bazyar won golds in javelin throw.
Elham Salehi was Iran’s only female gold medalist, triumphing in the javelin throw F54.