Thiago Braz, Olympic pole vault champion, banned for doping and disqualified from Paris 2024.

Brazilian Olympic champion Thiago Braz has been banned for 16 months for doping, preventing him from attempting to regain his title in Paris this year. The Athletics Integrity Unit found Braz guilty of the presence of ostarine glucuronide, a banned substance, in his system.

Braz, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games, claimed innocence, stating that he unknowingly consumed the substance through sports supplements. The AIU had initially sought a four-year ban but ultimately settled on 16 months, citing Braz’s reliance on his medical team for advice.

Despite being educated on the risks of using supplements from compound pharmacies in Brazil, Braz failed to heed the warnings, leading to his suspension. The AIU expressed disappointment in having to handle such a case, especially after providing clear warnings to athletes.

The Disciplinary Tribunal determined that Braz was not at significant fault or negligence, as he had followed the advice of his medical team. However, he will still be barred from competing until November 27, 2024.

Braz’s ban serves as a reminder of the strict anti-doping measures in place in the world of athletics, emphasizing the importance of athletes being vigilant about the substances they consume. The AIU will continue to monitor and enforce these regulations to maintain the integrity of the sport.