Amos tested positive for the banned GW1516 substance during an out-of-competition test on June 4. Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) told Mmegi Sport this week that the disciplinary process is ongoing.
“When it is completed, there will be accustomed communications on the AIU channels. In accordance with procedure, that is all we can say,” read AIU's response to Mmegi Sport's written questions. Amos was provisionally suspended ahead of the 2022 World Championships after the 2012 Olympics 800m silver medallist tested positive for a banned metabolite.
Amos was notified of the result while in Eugene, Oregon, the US where he was scheduled to compete in 800m. The drug found in the 28-year-old's system, GW1516, "modifies how the body metabolises fat," and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has said it poses a health risk to athletes, AIU said in a release announcing Amos' ban. In 2012, Amos, then 18, took a silver medal in the 800m at the London Games, Botswana's first ever Olympic Games medal. Amos has not won any Olympic or World Championships medal since. In July 2019, he ran 1:41.89, the world’s best time since the London Olympic final.
Meanwhile, the AIU informed Mmegi Sport that they are not handling Thalosang Tshireletso’s case. “Tshireletso’s matter is not under AIU’s results-management process, there we are unable to comment on that,” the response reads. Tshireletso tested positive for a banned substance after samples were collected during a local competition in April. The African champion is also provisionally suspended.
