Mo Katir, the Spanish silver medalist in the 5000m world championship, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for missing three doping tests last year.
Katir, who holds the world record in the 3000 meters indoors and the European record in the 5000 meters in an open stadium, won silver in the 5000m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year. He also won bronze in the 1500m at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon the year before.
Katir announced in a statement that he will appeal.
He stated, ‘I believe there has been no violation in the past 12 months as a result of the three location errors.’ Katir added, ‘In the case of some of the location errors reported by the AIU, I was available at the place, date, and time I specified.’
The Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) is making every effort to comply rigorously with the national and international legal framework on doping.
The RFEA stated that upon receiving official notification of the file’s opening by the World Athletics Integrity Unit, the athlete’s license was immediately suspended. The RFEA emphasized that clean and honest sportsmanship and the integrity of competition are fundamental pillars that should be defended above any sports achievements.
Katir stated that he had undergone numerous out-of-competition doping tests in recent months, including urine and blood samples, without any issues.
He emphasized that this was not a case of anti-doping violations resulting from the use of prohibited substances or methods, or an attempt to evade doping controls outside of competitions. Katir’s statement clarifies that he has not violated any anti-doping regulations.
According to the speaker, this is a basic file obtained from the completion of location data on a platform used by athletes to report their whereabouts. The file may contain location errors.
Athletes must register their whereabouts to undergo unannounced out-of-competition testing. A location violation occurs after three warnings.
