In March of this year, Sara Benfares tested positive for erythropoietin and unusually high amounts of testosterone. This was the start of a doping scandal surrounding the German distance runner.
According to her father, during the past year she has been treated for bone cancer and ingested the substances via chemotherapy. Data that was news to the German Athletics Federation.
– A cancer diagnosis should be easy to be transparent about. It doesn’t feel like the father has been helpful in being open about it, it’s a bit scary, says NRK’s athletics expert Vebjörn Rodal.
Sara Benfare’s little sister Sofia also tested positive for the same drug classified as doping. They were both suspended pending investigation.
And now comes the verdict from the German Anti-Doping Organization against Sara Benfares. She is banned for five years for doping offences. The verdict can be appealed, but Benfares also risks legal penalties.
Sara Benfares finished twelfth in the 5000 meters at the WC in Eugene.
