US Champion and Morocco born 5km road runner, Ridouane Harroufi has been suspended for whopping eight years for second doping offence as announced by US Anti-Doping Agency (USAD).
The Harroufi, the father of three and staff of Limousine driver in Fort Collins, has accepted the suspension.
Harroufi’s first violation was announced in 2013, when he received a two-year suspension from World Athletics for his use of erythropoietin (EPO). Under the World Anti-Doping Code, an eight-year period of ineligibility is the maximum suspension allowed for a second violation.
“Harroufi has twice been found using powerful performance-enhancing drugs,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “While this sanction will not restore the moment stolen from those he beat at the 15K USA Track & Field National Championship in March, it serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of doping.
“This sanction and disqualification also show the importance of special analysis like Carbon Isotope Ratio testing to truly root out cheaters and that target testing with appropriate safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential in preventing dopers from taking advantage of the situation and further harming clean athletes.”
Harroufi, 39, tested positive for an anabolic agent as the result of an in-competition drug test collected on March 7, 2020 at the USA Track & Field 15k Championships, as well as during an out-of-competition drug test collected on May 12, 2020. Both positive tests were considered a single violation because the second sample was collected before Harroufi was notified of the results of his first positive test.
Harroufi’s eight-year period of ineligibility began on June 12, 2020, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Harroufi has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to March 7, 2020, including his first-place finish at the 2020 USATF 15K National Championship, in addition to forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
