The ITA notifies Chinese weightlifter Xiaojun Lyu of an apparent anti-doping rule violation

The ITA reports that a sample collected during an out-of-competition testing mission on 30 October 2022 from Xiaojun Lyu, a weightlifter from China, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the prohibited peptide hormone erythropoietin (EPO).

EPO is prohibited under the 2022 WADA Prohibited List as peptide hormone (S2). EPO stimulates erythropoiesis (red blood cell production) and can modify the body’s capacity to transport oxygen and, therefore, increase stamina and performance. EPO is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition). It is used for medical purposes in the treatment of anaemia in chronic kidney disease, anaemia in myelodysplasia, and in anaemia from cancer chemotherapy. EPO is a non-specified substance; a provisional suspension is mandatory following an AAF for such a substance under the IWF Anti-Doping Rules.

The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended until the resolution of the matter. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.

Pursuant to the IWF’s delegation of its anti-doping program to the ITA, the prosecution of the case is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.

List of IWF Anti-Doping Rule Violations