ITU suspends Dmitriy Smurov for two years for Anti-Doping violation

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced it has imposed a two year ban on Dmitriy Smurov, a triathlete from Kazakhstan, after committing an anti-doping rule violation in an in-competition doping control test in Weihai, China on 12 June 2011.

The ban begins 19 October 2011 and prohibits Smurov from entering or participating in any competition or activity authorised by ITU, its National Federations (NFs) and/or any other signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code.

Smurov’s anti-doping rule violation was a result of an adverse analytical finding of Methylhexaneamine (MHEA), a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, Section S6 – Stimulants (b).

Smurov provided a sample, collected in-competition and in accordance with the Doping Control Rules of ITU at the 2011 Weihai ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Series Event on 12 June 2011.   The certificate of analysis confirming the adverse analytical finding was received by ITU from the WADA-accredited National Anti-Doping Laboratory in Beijing, China and indicated the presence of Methylhexaneamine.

The period of suspension will start on 19 October 2011, the date Mr. Smurov waived his right to the opening and analysis of the B sample, and lasts until 18 October 2013.

ITU is strongly committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport by ensuring athletes are competing on a level-playing field by abiding to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code to help keep triathlon clean.   ITU Anti-Doping Rules are written in compliance with the WADA Code.   For a National Federation (NF) to be affiliated with ITU, it must abide by the WADA Code and ITU Rules.