Ethiopian distance runner, Amena admits to anti-doping rule violation, gets three year ban

Ethiopian distance runner, Aberash Mutala Amena has been slammed a three year ban after admitting to anti-doping rule violations.

According to the Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU, Amena has been banned for presence of a prohibited substance (Testosterone) in the urine sample she provided in-competition at the ‘Amazing Thailand Pattaya Half Marathon held in Pattaya, Thailand in July 2024.

Amena was notified in October of the adverse analytical finding which may result in an anti-doping rule violations and a period of ineligibility of four years.

The Ethiopian was also informed of ‘her rights, inter alia, to request the B Sample analysis, to request copies of the laboratory documentation supporting the adverse analytical finding
and to admit the anti-doping rule violations and potentially benefit from a one-year reduction in the period of ineligibility’ pursuant to extant rule on the case.

Amena requested for the B sample to be tested and revealed she did not know how the prohibited substance got into her system and begged for forgiveness after the B sample also tested positive.

She subsequently signed and returned the admission of anti-doping rule violations and acceptance of consequences form confirming that she admitted the anti-doping rule
violations and accepted the asserted period of ineligibility.

Amena has thus received a one year reduction in the asserted period of ineligibility based on an early admission and acceptance of sanction with her period of ineligibility now three year commencing on 14 October 2024, the date of her provisional suspension.

This is followed by the disqualification of her results since 21 July 2024, with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes and
appearance money.