The past week brought a series of new cases of anti-doping rule violations in international sport, with Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios among the most well-known names.

Kyrgios, 31, admitted to using cocaine out of competition after testing positive during an ATP tournament in Mallorca, Spain, in June 2026. Following an investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), it was determined that the use had occurred in a social context and out of competition.

Under the rules, Kyrgios was given a one-month suspension, instead of the three months originally scheduled, after agreeing to undergo a treatment program. The suspension ended on September 3, 2026, and the athlete lost the prize money and ranking points earned at the Mallorca tournament.

OTHER CASES

Other cases have also been reported in the United States. Wheelchair basketball player Emily Oberst received a public warning after using a medication without first obtaining the necessary therapeutic use exemption. Meanwhile, Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete Tayane Porfirio de Araujo was suspended for three months after testing positive for carboxy-THC.

American weightlifter Laura Meador received a four-year ban after a urine test confirmed the presence of exogenous testosterone. Four new cases were registered in African athletics. Kenyan Dickson Kimeli Cheruiyot was suspended for six years for using EPO and epitrenbolone.

Ethiopian Tiruye Mesfin received a three-year suspension after anomalies were discovered in her Athlete Biological Passport. Ugandan Harbert Kibet also tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide and exogenous steroids, while Kenyan Emmanuel Wafula was provisionally suspended for the presence of testosterone.

The International Testing Agency reported other cases involving anabolic substances. Jiu-jitsu athlete Amer Alhajri tested positive for several substances, while Uzbek Doston Rajabov was sanctioned for using anabolic steroids and octodrine. Finally, Ironman triathlete Joe Skipper was suspended for 18 months after three whereabouts violations within a 12-month period. He was also disqualified from results achieved since May 15, 2025.

Last week's cases prove once again the importance of anti-doping controls and mechanisms such as the Athlete Biological Passport in protecting the integrity and fair competition in sport.

PENALTIES FOR DOPING DURING THE LAST WEEK

ATHLETE- STATE- SPORT- SANCTION

Nick Kyrgios – Australia – Tennis – 1 month suspension

Emily Oberst – USA – Wheelchair Basketball – Public Warning

Tayane P.de Araujo – Brazil – Jiu-jitsu – 3 month suspension

Laura Meador – USA – Weightlifting – 4 years suspension

Dickson K.Cheruiyot – Kenya – Athletics – 6 years suspension

Tiruye Mesfin – Ethiopia – Athletics – 3-year suspension

Harbert Kibet – Uganda – Athletics – Suspension

Emmanuel Wafula – Kenya – Athletics – Temporary Suspension

Amer Alhajri – Kuwait – Jiu-jitsu – Suspension

Doston Rajabov – Uzbekistan – Jiu-jitsu – Suspension

Joe Skipper – Britain – Triathlon/Ironman – 18 month suspension