Suspended athlete's claim shocks doping agency

Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday February 4, 2023 06:00

 

Over the coals: Tshireletso was suspended for a doping violation

There was no time limit set for the suspension. This week Tshireletso told Mmegi Sport that he has completed his suspension and is back in training.

“I am complying and I accept where I did not meet the requirements. The problem was Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). I take all responsibility, I should have known about it,” he said.

Tshireletso said he is spending this season recovering from a hip injury, which has caused a knee problem. The long jumper said he could only compete after the hip is sorted but his focus is to qualify for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Despite Tshireletso's claim, Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Office manager, Andrew Kamanga expressed shock that the athlete has returned. “Revoked by whom? The athlete was tested under the auspices of the Botswana National Olympic Committee as the de facto National Anti-Doping Office for the country. Myself as Regional Anti-Doping Officer, I would have advised,” he said.

"Tshireletso signed an admission of guilt so I do not know what he is talking about. He never applied for a TUE. Applying for exemption means applying for authorisation to use a substance that is on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list under strict medical supervision when there is no alternative therapy. It is granted in exceptional circumstances after consideration of set criteria,” Kamanga explained. When asked what was the next move for the athlete, Kamanga said the matter remains confidential to the athlete.

“If he wants to disclose what he and his lawyers have written and agreed to, that is up to him,” he said. Tshireletso’s fate was sealed by tests conducted during a local competition in April 2022. He became the first Motswana to win a gold medal in long jump at the 2022 Africa Senior Championships. He also bagged a silver medal in the triple jump at the same competition and had qualified for the Oregon World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games.