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14 October 2025
In May 2025, the ITA asserted an ADRV against Andrey Pokatilov under Article 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method) of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules (IWF ADR).
The assertion was based on investigations conducted by WADA’s Intelligence and Investigation Department (WADA I&I) and by Professor Richard McLaren into allegations of systemic doping practices in Russian sport between the years 2011 and 2015 as well as the Moscow Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) data retrieved by WADA I&I over time. The evidence was provided by WADA I&I to the ITA for further assessment. In particular, these investigations uncovered LIMS data indicative of the presence of the banned substances metenolone and oxandrolone in a sample provided by the athlete in 2015.
Metenolone and oxandrolone are anabolic steroids commonly used by athletes due to their muscle-building and performance-enhancing effects. They have been on the WADA Prohibited list every year since 2015 and are prohibited at all times.
The sanction was issued by the ITA on behalf of IWF in accordance with article 8.3.3 of the IWF ADR (and equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code).¹
The weightlifter has been sanctioned with a 4-year period of ineligibility, commencing on 21 May 2025 until 20 May 2029. In addition, all the athlete’s competitive results from 27 May 2015 until 21 May 2025 have also been disqualified including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
¹ When an athlete does not challenge the assertion of an ADRV and does not request a hearing, anti-doping organisations have the possibility to issue a written decision sanctioning the athlete and imposing the applicable consequences without having to refer the case to a hearing panel. This is provided in articles 8.3.2 and 8.3.3 of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules and article 8.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code.
