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1 October 2021
In the lead up to and during the 2018 IWF World Championships and the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, samples collected from 10 Thai weightlifters returned Adverse Analytical Findings for exogenous 5αAdiol and/or 5βAdiol. Such substances are classified as non-specified anabolic steroids and are prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
During the subsequent Results Management process, all 10 athletes stated that the source of the prohibited substances in their respective samples was though a pain-relieving gel administered directly and/or given to them by the then coach of the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA), Ning Liu.
The gel was sent for analysis to a WADA-accredited laboratory which confirmed that it contained prohibited substances.
The individual cases of the 10 Athletes were handled by the ITA and all Athletes were sanctioned as per the applicable IWF Anti-Doping Rules (IWF ADR). [Sanctions – International Weightlifting Federation]
On 15 March 2021, the ITA charged Mr Ning Liu with ADRVs under Article 2.8 for administration/ attempted administration of prohibited substances and under Article 2.9 for complicity involving an ADRV based on the statement of the 10 athletes during the ITA Results Management process and Mr Liu’s admission.
In accordance with Article 8.3.3 of the IWF ADR, the ITA issued a sanctioning decision finding that Mr Liu committed ADRVs and imposed a lifetime period of ineligibility on Mr Liu given the nature and severity of the rule violations.
In application of this sanction, and of Article 10.14 of the IWF ADR, Mr Liu shall be prevented from participating in any activity authorised or organised by any signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code in any capacity whatsoever.
