Doping: Russian triathlete hit with 3-year ban

Tokyo 2020 Olympian Igor Polyanskiy of the Russian Olympic Committee has been hit with a three-year ban after admitting a doping offence.

Blood and urine samples were taken from the 31-year-old on 21 July, 2021, and traces of Erythropoietin (EPO) – which works to stimulate red blood cell production – were discovered.

Polyanskiy – who placed 43rd in the Men’s race at Tokyo 2020 and 14th in the Mixed Relay with the ROC – has since had his results disqualified.

A statement from the governing body for the sport – World Triathlon – read: “The sample was collected by World Triathlon during an out-of-competition anti-doping control on 21 July, 2021 in Vladivostok, Russia.

“World Triathlon was informed of the case on August 5, 2021, by the Wada-accredited laboratory. On 15 August the Athlete signed a Waiver of Hearing and Acceptance of Consequences Form, waiving his right to the analysis of the B sample, thereby agreeing to accept any consequences proposed by World Triathlon.

“The athlete admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) in the 20 days after receiving notice of the charge and therefore he benefits from a reduction of one year in the presumptive four-years period of ineligibility.

“World Triathlon hereby imposes a period of ineligibility of three years on Igor Polyanskiy for the presence of EPO in his urine and blood samples in contravention to Article 2.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules (ADR).

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“All the Athlete’s results and points earned since 21 July 2021 are to be disqualified with all resulting consequences including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points and prize and appearance money.”

Polyanskiy will not be eligible to compete again until 10 August 2024.