Two weeks after setting the new sub-20 world record in the 100m dash, with 9s89, in winning the South American Championship, Asinga Issamade, from Suriname, was caught for using a prohibited substance and preventively suspended by the Athletic Integrity Unit (AIU), World Athletic organization responsible for doping control in the sport. If Issamade’s race is invalidated, the gold and the continent’s record pass to Brazilian Erik Cardoso.
AIU reported on its official page that the athlete from Suriname, aged just 18, was caught using GW1516, or Cardarine, a supplement that improves cardiovascular conditions, fights excess fat and increases resistance. The medication is considered doping, it has been banned since 2007 and even banned in horse racing.
The record for the athlete from Suriname was conquered in the same race in which the Brazilian Erik Cardoso secured his Olympic index and became the first athlete in the country to run under 10 seconds. He beat Robson Caetano’s mark with his 9s97.
With the provisional suspension, Issamade is out of the World Championship in Budapest, in Hungary, which starts on August 19th and runs until the 27th. He is still at risk of being suspended for up to four years, in a trial yet to be scheduled.
“A provisional suspension is when an athlete or other person is temporarily suspended from participating in any competition or activity in athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted in accordance with the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct,” informed the AIU.
