Thapelo Phora

The SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport has confirmed that South Africa athlete Thapelo Phora failed a doping test and was subsequently banned for eight and a half months.

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The SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport has confirmed that South Africa athlete Thapelo Phora failed a doping test and was subsequently banned for eight and a half months.

Thapelo Phora

The SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport has confirmed that South Africa athlete Thapelo Phora failed a doping test and was subsequently banned for eight and a half months.

The SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has confirmed that Athletics South Africa (ASA) athlete Thapelo Phora failed a doping test and was subsequently banned for eight and a half months.

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In a statement on its website, SAIDS confirmed that Phora’s period of ineligibility ran from 21 May 2020 until 20 January 2021.

SAIDS CEO Khalid Galant confirmed to The South African that “Phora was also given credit for a period of provisional suspension. His provisional suspension was lifted in May 2021 after an expedited hearing only on the merits of lifting of suspension not on the merits of the charge.”

The ban could’ve been longer but Phora “was successful in proving contamination and received a reduced sanction,” Galant added.

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Phora tested positive for the presence of Stanozolol and its Metabolites.

The 29-year-old took part in the recent Tokyo Olympics where he finished sixth in the heats for the men’s 400m, failing to progress to the semi-finals.

He was also part of the SA 4x400m relay team which disappointed in finishing second last in their heat – again failing to reach the final.

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The SAIDS statement added that it had appealed the rendered decision.

However, the appeal was dismissed by an Independent SAIDS Appeal Board.

The matter has since been reviewed by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and no case was filed to Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for consideration of further appeal.