The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is contemplating appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following American sprinter Erriyon Knighton’s evasion of a ban for the use of a prohibited substance.
Knighton, aged 20, tested positive for trenbolone, a banned substance known for its muscle growth properties, in March.
An independent arbitrator determined on June 19 that Knighton likely ingested the substance through consuming contaminated meat.
This ruling allowed the 200m sprinter to participate in the United States’ Olympic trials, commencing on Friday in Oregon.
However, WADA has stated that it will await a detailed breakdown of the decision before deciding whether to pursue an appeal.
“Once Wada has the full reasoned decision, it will study that, along with the case file, with its usual scepticism and diligence,” a Wada spokesperson BBC Sport.
They emphasized that it would be “extremely rare” for an individual to test positive for trenbolone due to consuming contaminated meat.
Trenbolone is a recognized livestock growth promoter that is legally used in beef cattle production in the United States and is exported accordingly.
Travis Tygart, the chief executive of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), stated that “justice” had been served following Knighton’s clearance.
On the same day that Knighton was exonerated, China named 11 athletes involved in a doping scandal to their swimming team for Paris.
Tygart had called for sanctions on Chinese athletes ahead of the Games after 23 athletes who participated in the 2021 Tokyo Games were cleared of unintentionally ingesting the heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ).
This issue prompted strong criticism of WADA from Tygart, who alleged a “cover-up,” leading to the anti-doping body threatening legal action in response.
“If this had been an athlete in China, we dare to think that Mr Tygart would be singing a different tune, and very loudly,” said the Wada spokesperson on Thursday.
Both Knighton and the 23 Chinese athletes have been cleared after positive results because of cases of contamination but Tygart argues the cases are not comparable.
“Unlike the China TMZ 23, in this case, as the rules required, we provisionally suspend the athlete, presented the issues before an independent arbitrator, and publicly announced the outcome,” Tygart told Reuters.
“It is sad to see but Wada has truly lost it and is crumbling before the world’s eyes.”
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