Photo: Athletics Canada
Story: LondonOntarioSports.com Staff
Pole vaulter and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Alysha Newman of Delaware has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for whereabouts failures. The suspension was announced Wednesday.
A whereabouts failure is an anti-doping rule violation, stemming from an athlete’s failure to submit accurate location information, or his or her unavailability for scheduled testing. AIU said Newman allegedly missed three doping tests during a 12-month period.
In its statement, Athletics Canada said:
“Athletics Canada is aware of Alysha Newman’s provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit for Whereabouts Failures. Athletics Canada has adopted the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP). All organizations that adopt and support the CADP accept the rules as a condition of participation in sport and agree to be bound by these rules. Athletics Canada is committed to the enforcement of anti-doping rules as stated in the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, by World Athletics, and by the World Anti-Doping Agency. All Athletics Canada Canadian Athletics Performance Pathway (CAPP) Program athletes are required to complete annual education on the CADP through Sport Integrity Canada (SIC). While Athletics Canada provides on-going guidance and reminders to athletes on the requirements for declaring whereabouts, the athlete is ultimately responsible for providing the information in a timely matter as required. This is an unfortunate situation and Athletics Canada hopes to see Alysha Newman back as part of our National Team Program when she is eligible.”
Newman, 31, has since denied using banned substances.
She is temporarily banned from competing until an AIU hearing concludes with a final decision.
