Rita Odafe
Nigeria’s para powerlifter, Kafilat Almaruf, has received a three-year suspension from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) due to doping infractions.
This disciplinary measure follows Almaruf’s violation of anti-doping rules as outlined in the IPC Anti-Doping Code. According to the IPC, a urine sample taken from her during an out-of-competition test on July 11, 2024, returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for unauthorized anabolic agents.
In their announcement, the IPC explained that Almaruf’s sample was analyzed using the GC/C/IRMS method, which determined that the anabolic substance found was from an external source. This confirmed the presence of a prohibited anabolic agent.
Almaruf’s use of exogenous anabolic steroids is in violation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 Prohibited List, which categorizes such substances under class S1.1, prohibiting them at all times.
The IPC provisionally suspended Almaruf on August 19, 2024, while the matter was examined, and she has since accepted responsibility for her actions along with the penalties imposed.
Due to this rule infraction, she will be barred from participating in competitions and sporting events, except for approved anti-doping education or rehabilitation programs for three years, specifically from August 19, 2024, to August 18, 2027.
Furthermore, all results she achieved from the time of her sample collection (July 11, 2024) until her provisional suspension began (August 19, 2024) will be annulled, which also includes the forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes.
Each athlete is fully accountable for any substances in their samples, and any detection of a prohibited substance constitutes a violation, regardless of intention or negligence. Consequently, this penalty renders her incapable of representing Nigeria at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
