Cross-country skier Shelby Houlihan, suspended for positive doping control, is on the list of entries over 1,500m and 5,000m this Friday at the American selections in Eugene (Oregon). But his case is still debated as much. The soap opera Shelby Houlihan bounced back again during the night from Thursday to Friday. Suspended four years for positive doping control as the 4th in the 1,500m of the 2019 Worlds herself revealed at the start of the week, the American cross-country skier (28) should logically not be able to line up this Friday on 1,500m and 5,000m during the Olympic selections held in Eugene (Oregon). But the American Federation (USATF) hinted Thursday that any athlete appealing was allowed to compete until that appeal process was completed, and Houlihan is well on the start lists. End of the story ? Not according to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) or even the United States Olympic Committee (USOPC), who strongly reiterated their position in the following hours. Communiqué from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) “Ms. Houlihan’s status during this period means that any participation in a competition organized by a member federation of World Athletics […] is strictly prohibited ” “As a member of World Athletics, the USATF must respect and enforce the decisions of bodies such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) AIU said. In the present case, a final decision of the CAS confirmed that Ms. Houlihan had committed an anti-doping rule violation and was subject to a four-year period of ineligibility beginning on January 14, 2021. Ms. Houlihan’s status during this period means that any participation in a competition organized by a member federation of World Athletics, such as the American federation (the Olympic selections), is strictly prohibited. “ For its part, the USOPC, through the voice of its president Sarah Hirshland, also showed its teeth in this file: “The USOPC, along with the USATF, can confirm that we will abide by the World Anti-Doping Code and all decisions made by CAS regarding the participation of athletes in official competitions. “
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