Peter Bol cleared of doping after B-sample comes back clean
Olympian Peter Bol has announced that his provisional doping ban has been lifted after further testing.
The 800m star was banned last month after an anti-doping test showed a positive result for synthetic erythropoietin (EPO).
At the time, Bol protested his innocence and expected the results of a test on his B sample.
On Tuesday, the 28-year-old released a statement announcing that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing.
“Last month I told everyone I was innocent and asked everyone in Australia to believe me and let the trial go ahead,” Bol wrote in a statement.
“I had hoped that the process would exonerate me. This morning I’m relieved to report that it was.
“I have just been informed that my B sample does not confirm my A sample. My provisional suspension has been lifted by Sport Integrity Australia. The relief I feel is hard to describe.
“I appreciate the support I have received from my family, my team and from so many people from Australia and around the world. The last month has been nothing short of a nightmare.
“I wish my A sample results hadn’t leaked out, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
“To reiterate, I am innocent and did not take this substance as I was accused of.
“I have NEVER purchased, researched, possessed, administered or used synthetic EPO or any other prohibited substance in my life and never will.”
Sports Integrity Australia released its own statement after Bols, suggesting the athlete wasn’t quite over the hill.
The statement said Bol’s B sample did not test negative but was classified as an atypical finding and required further investigation.
“The investigation into the matter is ongoing,” the statement said.
“Sport Integrity Australia will consider whether anti-doping rule violations have been committed as part of its investigation.
It is currently not possible to provide a time frame.”
“Former ASADA chief Richard Ings provided insight into the situation, revealing that there are rarely discrepancies between the two samples.
Who is Peter Bol?
The 28-year-old made his mark when he finished fourth in the 800m final at the Tokyo Olympics.
Previously, Bol had won admirers by leading all the way to claim victory in the semifinals of the games.
Last year, Bol won the silver medal in the 800m at the Commonwealth Games.
As a child, Bol and his family fled war-torn Sudan, eventually settling in Perth via Toowoomba.
Bol, who was named WA’s Young Australian of the Year, was considered a good shot at last month’s national prize until the doping allegations.