In August we reported that Russian triathlete Igor Polyanskiy had tested positive for Erythropoietin (EPO). Today we learned that he has been suspended by World Triathlon for three years. Polyanskiy competed at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he finished 43rd and was also part of Russia’s mixed relay team, which finished 14th. Since the EPO was found in his urine and blood samples from a test done on July 21, 2021, all his results since July 21 “are to be disqualified,” which means the Russian relay team that raced in Tokyo will also be disqualified.
World Triathlon first reported that Polyanskiy had “returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for recombinant Erythropoietin (EPO)” on August 5. The sample was collected during an out-of-competition test in Vladivostok, Russia. Because Polyanskiy waived his right for the analysis of the B sample, and since he “admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) in the 20 days after receiving notice of the charge … he benefits from a reduction of one year in the presumptive four-years period of ineligibility.”
Polyanskiy will be allowed to return to competition on August 10, 2024. That probably won’t allow him to compete in the next Olympics – Paris will be hosting the next games from July 26 to August 11. (Presuming the triathlon event won’t take place over the last couple of days.)
