Olympic Gold Medalist Braz Receives 16-Month Doping Suspension.

Posted 4 months ago

Brazilian pole vaulter Thiago Braz received a 16-month ban from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) due to a doping violation.

Thiago Braz, the 2016 Rio Olympics champion in pole vault, has been given a 16-month ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for violating World Athletics Anti-Doping rules due to the presence of the prohibited substance ostarine.

Ostarine is similar to testosterone and is not approved for human use in any country.

Braz, who was provisionally suspended since last July, claimed he unintentionally consumed the substance through sports supplements provided by his nutritionist. He plans to appeal the ban with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Despite winning bronze at Tokyo 2020, the 30-year-old will miss the upcoming Paris Olympics. Originally, the AIU sought a four-year ban, alleging Braz acted recklessly.

However, the disciplinary tribunal determined that while Braz was aware of the contamination risk in his supplements, he wasn't significantly at fault or negligent due to relying on advice from his medical team.

There's a possibility that the AIU might appeal the duration of the ban.