Nigeria's Kafilat Almaruf receives three-year ban for anti-doping rule violation
Para powerlifting athlete returned an adverse analytical finding for the administration of an anabolic agent of exogenous origin in a sample provided out-of-competition 07 Jan 2025
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para powerlifting athlete Kafilat Almaruf of Nigeria for a period of three years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code (the Code).
The Nigerian athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for the administration of an anabolic agent in a urine sample provided out-of-competition on 11 July 2024.
Almaruf’s urine sample was analysed using a specialised type of analysis, known as Gas Chromatography/Combustion/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS), that differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The GC/C/IRMS analysis confirmed the presence of an anabolic agent of exogenous origin in Almaruf’s urine sample.
Exogenous anabolic steroids are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) and are prohibited at all times.
The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 19 August 2024 pending a resolution of her case.
The athlete accepted the commission of the ADRV, and the consequences proposed by the IPC.
As a result of her violation, the athlete will be ineligible for competition and other sporting activities (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programmes) for three years from 19 August 2024 until 18 August 2027.
All results obtained by the athlete from the date the sample was collected (11 July 2024) until the commencement of the provisional suspension (19 August 2024) are also disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in their sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in their sample, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.
As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code in compliance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, expecting that, in the spirit of sport, it will lead the fight against doping in sport for athletes with an impairment.