In August 2024 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf on World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violations against the Ukrainian Athlete Nataliya Lehonkova after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Recombinant Erythropoietin (RhEPO).
Following notification the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived her right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU. She could not explain how the substance had entered her system.
The AIU deems that the Athlete failed to establish that the violation was not intentional. Because she had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.
Therefore the AIU decides on 11 September 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 21 August 2024.
