Latvian race walker Arnis Rumbenieks banned for three years over doping violation
Latvian race walker Arnis Rumbenieks has been banned for three years for breaching anti-doping rules. The prohibited substance GW1516 was found in his samples, the athlete and the Latvian Anti-Doping Bureau announced on Tuesday.
Arnis Rumbenieks, a Latvian race walker, has been disqualified for three years for an anti-doping rule violation. The athlete himself announced the decision on Tuesday. The ban means he cannot take part in competitions for that period.
How the case began
Rumbenieks says the case started in November 2024, when he underwent an out-of-competition test. Such checks can be carried out on athletes at any time, not only during events.
The substance found
The Latvian Anti-Doping Bureau (LAB), which oversees compliance with anti-doping rules in Latvia, said on Tuesday that his doping control samples contained GW1516, a substance banned in sport. It belongs to group S4 of the list of prohibited substances and methods, described as "hormone and metabolic modulators". Its use in sport is forbidden both in and out of competition.
The source gives no further details, such as when the ban started or how the athlete explains the presence of the substance. It also does not say whether the decision can be appealed.
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