British Triathlete Louis Walker receives three-year ban for possession and use of clenbuterol
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has issued British Triathlete Louis Walker with a three-year ban from all sport following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Use and Possession of the Prohibited Substance, clenbuterol.
In February 2023, UKAD received intelligence via its confidential reporting initiative ‘Protect Your Sport’ that Mr Walker had been found in possession of a blister pack of Clenoxin tablets containing clenbuterol. Mr Walker admitted to both using and being in possession of clenbuterol during an interview with UKAD on 3 April 2023.
Clenbuterol is listed under Section 1.2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2023 Prohibited List as an Anabolic Agent. It is a non-Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times.
Mr Walker was provisionally suspended by UKAD on 27 September 2023 and subsequently charged with Anti-Doping Rule Violations (Use and Possession of a Prohibited Substance) under the UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR). Mr Walker responded to UKAD within 20 days of the Charge to admit both violations and accept the sanction. His early admission and acceptance of the sanction allowed his ban to be reduced by one-year.
Affording Mr Walker credit for the time he spent provisionally suspended, his ban from sport is deemed to have commenced on 27 September 2023 and will expire on 26 September 2026.
Hamish Coffey, UKAD’s Director of Operations said: “The use of anabolic agents, like clenbuterol, is cheating and undermines the hard-work and determination of clean athletes.
“This case serves as a reminder of how important it is to report your suspicions of doping. It takes a team to keep sport clean. No matter how small the information may seem, we want to hear it so we can ensure a level playing field for athletes.”
British Triathlon added, “We support UKAD’s decision and thank the person who initially raised their concerns about the athlete. As a national governing body, we are committed to clean sport and encourage anyone with a concern about an athlete to contact UKAD directly.
“Since 2021, British Triathlon has increased the education and training available to elite and amateur athletes. All Home Nation members, and any athlete and their athlete support personnel who is a member of British Triathlon’s affiliate organisations or licensees (including clubs, teams, associations and academies) are bound by the British Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules which are the UK Anti-Doping Rules.”
For more information on how to report doping, search: Protect Your Sport.
Clarification/ notes to editors – 15 February 2024
UKAD issues further clarification following its original announcement on 14 February 2024 concerning Louis Walker:
1. UKAD’s investigation of Mr Walker continued after he was interviewed on 3 April 2023. Neither the World Anti-Doping Code nor the UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) permit UKAD to provisionally suspend an Athlete whilst they are under investigation.
2. Before UKAD is able to formally notify an Athlete in accordance with ADR Article 7.8 of the alleged commission of (Use and Possession) ADRVs and provisionally suspend them, it is obliged under ADR Article 7.7.1 to refer its file to an Independent Reviewer to review the completed investigation. UKAD is only able to proceed with issuing a Notice in accordance with ADR Article 7.8 once a full investigation is complete and the Independent Reviewer has provided their determination of the case.
3. Under the World Anti-Doping Code and ADR, the imposition of a Provisional Suspension in alleged Use and Possession cases is not mandatory. UKAD exercised its right under ADR Article 7.10.2(a) to impose a discretionary Provisional Suspension on Mr Walker at the earliest stage it was permitted to do so, i.e. the date it issued him with a Notice, which was 27 September 2023.
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