The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has been informed by the Hellenic Amateur Athletic Association (SEGAS) that the female athlete, Athanasia TSOUMELEKA, has been found guilty of the following doping violation under IAAF Rules:
Presence of the prohibited substance EPO, Micera (S2. Hormones) in her doping control sample (IAAF Rule 32.2a)
This doping violation relates to a sample collected out-of-competition by the IAAF on 06.08.08 in Athens, Greece. This sample was stored by the IAAF, and then re-analysed when a test for Micera became available.
In conformity with the IAAF Rules, the SEGAS has imposed the following sanction for a first violation:
• 2 years ineligibility (20.01.09 – 19.01.11)
• Disqualification of all results from 06.08.08
This information has been added to the 2008 List of Anti-Doping Rule Violations which can be found on the IAAF website in the anti-doping statistics section.
Note: Under the IAAF Rules, athletes sanctioned for a doping violation have the right to appeal this decision to the relevant appeals body.
“The IAAF is committed to protecting the sport of athletics from the threat of doping. Each year the IAAF spends more than 3 million dollars on this ongoing battle and coordinates more than 3,000 doping controls. All IAAF out-of-competition tests are conducted on a strictly no-advance-notice basis.