ZCZC
BSP-25
ATHLETICS-DOPING-RUS-IAU
Russian race walker Bakulin receives eight-year doping ban
PARIS, Aug 21, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Russian race walker Sergey Bakulin, a
former world champion, has been banned for eight years for doping, the
Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Wednesday.
It was a second doping ban for Bakulin, who is 32, and runs until April
2027. That could mean the end of his career, although he can appeal to the
Court of Arbitration in Sport.
The decision is based on anomalies in Bakulin’s biological passport
between April and June last year.
Bakulin was suspended for three years and two months for a similar
offence by the Russian Anti-Doping Association (RUSADA) in January 2015. That
ban was strengthend on appeal by the
International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), resulting in
Bakulin being stripped of his 2011 50km world title.
After the suspension of Russia from athletics in November 2015 for
state-sponsored doping, Bakulin did not have the neutral athlete status that
allowed some of his compatriots to compete in international competitions,
such as the Rio Games.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1945HRS