American Sprinter Erriyon Knighton Receives Four-Year Doping Ban
washington, vrijdag, 12 september 2025.
Top American athlete Erriyon Knighton has been suspended for four years following a positive doping test for the anabolic steroid Epitrenbolone. The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) follows an appeal by World Athletics and WADA, which overturned the ruling of an American arbitration tribunal. Knighton, who was previously acquitted under the guise of meat contamination, will now likely miss the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
Top American athlete Erriyon Knighton has been suspended for four years following a positive doping test for the anabolic steroid Epitrenbolone. The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) follows an appeal by World Athletics and WADA, which overturned the ruling of an American arbitration tribunal. Knighton, who was previously acquitted under the guise of meat contamination, will now likely miss the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles [1][2][3].
Details of the Doping Case
Knighton was caught using Epitrenbolone, an anabolic steroid, in May 2024. Despite his claim that the detected substance came from meat contamination, CAS concluded that this claim was unproven and statistically impossible. The suspension is effective from Friday, 12 September 2025, with credit for the temporary suspension between 12 April and 19 June 2024 [1][2][3].
Impact on Knighton’s Career
The four-year suspension has significant implications for Knighton’s career. He will likely miss the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which begin in July 2028. Knighton, who was an Olympic finalist twice, placed fourth in the 200 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He was also not selected for the American team for the world championships starting last Wednesday in Tokyo [2][3].
Reactions from World Athletics and WADA
World Athletics and WADA appealed to CAS against the decision of the American arbitration tribunal, which originally acquitted Knighton. CAS concluded that Knighton’s evidence regarding meat contamination was insufficient and that there was no proof of Epitrenbolone in the meat he consumed [1][2][3].
Disqualification of Results
In addition to the four-year suspension, Knighton was also disqualified for results from 26 March to 12 April 2024. CAS partially granted the requests of World Athletics and WADA to annul all his results since March 2024 [1][2][3].
Impact on Trust in Sport
The CAS decision has significant implications for trust in sport. It underscores the need for strict oversight and transparency in the fight against doping. World Athletics and WADA remain committed to protecting the integrity of sport and ensuring a level playing field for all athletes [1][2][3].