AIU warns Athletes: Breaking the rules can have long-lasting effects

The Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU, has warned cheaters they could still be caught long after they have competed in an event.

The body saddled with promoting the integrity of the sport of track and field has thus warned athletes in a tweet on its X page that breaking the rules can have long-lasting effect

‘Breaking the rules can have long-lasting effects. London 2012 women’s 1500m results were adjusted 12 years after the race, moving Shannon Rowbury to third place. We will continue the fight against doping and investigate potential violations fully,’ wrote the AIU.

The body also revealed it has been able to reduce the number of potential cheaters through its out-of-competition tests, OOC.

In another tweet, the AIU revealed it has made a huge leap forward in its fight against doping.

‘We’ve dramatically reduced the number of athletes competing at major events without OOC tests. But the fight for clean sport never stops.’

‘In Paris 2024, only 11% of athletes had 0 out-of-competition. Even more impressively, 61% of athletes competing in Paris had three or more out-of-competition tests compared to only 25|% in London,’ it further wrote.

The AIU says out-of-competition testing is crucial for catching cheaters who get more sophisticated everyday.

Athletes who need medication for a legitimate medical condition have been asked to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to stay compliant with Anti-Doping Rules.

It also warned that ​athletes and support personnel are responsible for knowing what constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and the substances and methods included on the Prohibited List.