Hopes rises for Amusan as CAS rejects World Athletics’ appeal in Jeruto case

Who says it is impossible to win an anti-doping rule violation case against World Athletics at the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS?

That was the feeling going through Nigerians’ minds when World Athletics and World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, decided to challenge the first instance decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal that the Nigerian had not committed an anti-doping rule violation following her three whereabouts failures charge by the Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU.

The fear grew following earlier decisions by CAS, especially the one involving Nigeria-born Salwa Eid Naser who is competing for Bahrain.

A disciplinary tribunal had exonerated the Bahrainian after she was charged by the AIU for an anti-doping rule violation.

World Athletics appealed the decision and CAS partially upheld – 2 years ineligibility from 30 June 2021.

However on Tuesday, CAS dismissed the ‘ppeal filed by World Athletics against the decision issued on 27 October 2023 (the Challenged Decision) by the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal in relation to the long-distance runner Norah Jeruto from Kazakhstan.’

The challenged decision in which Jeruto was found not to have infringed the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules in relation to alleged abnormalities in her Athlete Biological Passport is confirmed.

In its appeal to CAS, World Athletics sought the imposition of a four-year period of ineligibility.

It is now hoped CAS will act likewise in Amusan’s case.