USADA announced today that an independent arbitrator has rendered a decision in the case of ultra triathlon athlete Robert Karaś of Warsaw, Poland. After an evidentiary hearing on December 20, 2024, the arbitrator determined that Karaś, 35, will receive an eight-year sanction for his second anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
Karaś tested positive for clomiphene as a result of an in-competition urine sample collected at the Florida ANVIL Ultra Triathlon on February 24, 2024. USADA was contracted by event organizers to conduct testing and results management for the event, which is why USADA handled the case. USADA collected Karaś’s sample in accordance with the WADA International Standard for Testing and Investigations.
Clomiphene is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Karaś received an extended period of ineligibility under the rules because this was his second anti-doping rule violation within a 10-year period. Karaś committed his first anti-doping rule violation when he tested positive for multiple prohibited substances from a sample collected at the direction of the International Ultra Triathlon Association (IUTA), which USADA verified through its investigation in this case. The IUTA imposed a two-year period of ineligibility for this first violation, and that sanction will not expire until May 29, 2025. Although the IUTA is not a signatory to the Code, USADA and all other Code signatories recognize sanctions by bodies that are not Code signatories if the sanction issued was within the non-signatory’s authority and the anti-doping rules of the non-signatory are otherwise consistent with the Code. The IUTA fits those criteria, and therefore, USADA has recognized the IUTA’s sanction.
Karaś’s eight-year period of ineligibility will begin on May 30, 2025, immediately following the expiration of his first sanction. In addition, Karaś has been disqualified from any competitive results on and after February 24, 2024, the date of his positive test, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.
The decision, as well as all other arbitral decisions, can be found here.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update athlete Whereabouts, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.
In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
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