Malaysian weightlifters have been slapped with a one year suspension and barred from the Olympics.
Malaysia has been punished after three weightlifters were caught doping in a calendar year.
Athletes from the country have been banned from participating at International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) events for an additional five months following the next competition sanctioned by the worldwide body to take place.
The suspension of the MWF could be lifted as early as October 4 this year if the organisation can demonstrate it has adhered to criteria designed to prevent further doping issues in the future.
The panel, which comprises legal and anti-doping experts from the United States, Germany, Canada and New Zealand, suspended Egypt for two years in September because of six positives by youth and junior lifters.
Its existence had been threatened until members of the IWF Executive Board voted to retain it in December.
A number of Executive Board members – mostly from nations that cannot send a maximum team to Tokyo 2020 because of doping violations – had earlier proposed that the panel be disbanded.
The full sanctions imposed on Malaysia are as follows:
- MWF athletes shall not participate in IWF events for an additional five months following the next IWF event which takes place. (MWF athletes and their ASP were already suspended from IWF events for a period of 11-12 months based on a voluntary suspension imposed by MWF on 30 May 2018.)
- MWF athletes shall not compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (regardless of the change of date).
- MWF is suspended from all IWF activities for a period 12 months through to 1 April 2021. The one-year suspension of MWC will be reviewed and may be lifted as early as 1 October 2020 if MWF can demonstrate it has met pre-defined criteria.
The MWF was officially informed of the decision by the IMFSP on 1 April 2020 and has 21 days from this date to appeal to CAS.
Also slapped with suspension is the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA).
The IWF has imposed the following sanctions on the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA):
- TAWA minor athletes (under the age of 18) and their ASP are prohibited from participating in international competitions for an additional five months following the next IWF event which takes place. All other TAWA athletes and ASP are prohibited from participating in international competitions for an additional 11 months following the next IWF event which takes place. (Based on TAWA’s voluntary undertaking, TAWA athletes and their ASP have already been suspended since 7 March 2019. The additional sanction periods imposed by the IMFSP will not start to run during the period when all IWF events are cancelled or postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic).
- TAWA athletes shall not compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (regardless of the change of date).
- The Membership status of TAWA is suspended for a period of three years through to 1 April 2023 (TAWA officials are suspended for two years and are not eligible to be appointed to any IWF position so long as TAWA remains suspended.) The three-year suspension of TAWA will be reviewed and may be lifted on or after 7 March 2022 if TAWA can demonstrate it has met pre-defined criteria.
- The fine imposed on TAWA is USD 200,000.00. Half of it is imposed as a penalty, the remainder shall be used by IWF to offset IWF costs already incurred in connection with the TAWA matter and for additional IWF testing of TAWA athletes.
About Post Author
