In May 2024 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Spanish Athlete Abderrahim Ougra for evading sample collection on 21 January 2024.
The Doping Control Officer (DCO) reported that following notification the Athlete had signed the Doping Control Form for confirmation. Escorted by a chaperone the Athlete first returned to his belongings and then took the liberty to do some cooling down activities on the track, despite the chaperone's instructions to report to the DCO immediately.
Thereupon the Athlete disappeared through an exit from the track and left the facility completely. The chaperone was unable to locate the Athlete and neither did the Athlete respond when contacted by phone and WhatsApp.
Hereafter in February 2024 the Athlete explained that he had never received anti-doping education, nor had he been tested before. The Doping Control made him feel very anxious and this anxiety had caused him to run away.
Ultimately in June 2024 the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU.
The AIU considers that there are no exceptional circumstances in this case. Because the Athlete had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form he received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.
Therefore the AIU decides on 2 August 2024 to impose a 3 year and 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 23 May 2024.