IOC sanctions cyclist Maria Luisa Calle Williams for failing anti-doping test
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that cyclist Maria Luisa Calle Williams from Colombia has been disqualified from the women's Points Race event, in which she had placed third on 25 August for failing an anti-doping test carried out by the IOC.
Maria Luisa Calle Williams, 35, tested positive for Heptaminol, a prohibited stimulant.
During the hearing held by the Disciplinary Commission, the athlete categorically denied having taken a prohibited substance. The delegation also stated that, as part of its own out-of-competition testing programme, the Colombian Olympic Committee had tested the athlete and the result was negative.
After hearing the delegation and its arguments, which included the possibility that the positive analytical finding was due to the bio-transformation of a non-prohibited substance, the Disciplinary Commission concluded that, even had there been bio-transformation, this would not change the applicability of the principle of strict liability in this case.
After having heard the report of the Disciplinary Commission, the IOC Executive Board today decided that Maria Luisa Calle Williams: -
- is disqualified from the women’s Points Race event, in which she had placed third.
- The International Cycling Federation (UCI) is requested to modify the results of the above-mentioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence.
- The Colombian Olympic Committee is ordered to return to the IOC, as soon as possible, the bronze medal and diploma awarded to the athlete in relation to the above-noted event.
- This decision shall enter into force immediately.