World Triathlon

World Triathlon hereby reports that Russian athlete Vladimir Turbayevskiy has been suspended of competition after the decision of the CAS Anti-Doping Division that finds him guilty of an ADRV pursuant to Article 2.2 of the Anti-Doping rules (ADR) in connection with abnormalities in the haematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) based on abnormalities detected in blood samples collected in June and July 2014 and in August 2020 all of which indicate blood manipulation.

The objective of integrating the ABP into the larger framework of the World Triathlon’s anti-doping program remains to identify and to target athletes for specific analytical testing (e.g., recombinant EPO test, homologous blood transfusion test) by intelligent and timely interpretation of biological passport data. The WADA-accredited Montreal IRNS Laboratory is the Athlete Passport Management Unit that monitors World Triathlon’s ABP.
According to the CAS sentence, the Athlete’s ABP profile constitutes clear, compelling, and reliable evidence that the Athlete has committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for “Use”. In particular Sample 2, 3 and 5 are all pathognomonic for the Use and subsequent discontinuation of an erythropoietic stimulant or the recent application of a blood transfusion.

All competitive results obtained between by Mr. Turbayevskiy from 7 June 2014 and 31 December 2017 and between 19 August 2020 and 6 January 2021 shall be disqualified, with all of the consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. He shall reimburse to World Triathlon the ADD Fee of CHF 1,000.

In 2014 and in 2020, the Athlete was a member of the Russian Triathlon Federation, a member federation of World Triathlon. In addition, from 2014 to 2020 the Athlete took part in various international competitions.

As a member of the Russian Triathlon Federation, and as a result of having participated in various international and continental competitions identified in the Scope section of the ADR as being organised, authorised, or recognised by World Triathlon, the Athlete was at all material times subject to the 2011 and 2019 ADR.

In addition to being bound by the 2011 and 2019 ADR, pursuant to the 2019 ADR, the Athlete is also defined as an International Level Athlete by virtue of his having been designated for inclusion in the World Triathlon Testing Pool. The Athlete has provided no reasonable or compelling explanation for the abnormalities detected in his ABP and no compelling supporting evidence in support of his arguments and has, therefore, failed to explain the abnormalities in his ABP to the required standard of proof.

Blood manipulation is a serious ADRV and typically involves sophisticated meditated actions intended to enhance performance in a way which is not easily discoverable. In this case three blood samples evidence such actions, two in 2014 and one in 2020. While the Athlete repeatedly argued that he has not been engaged in any wrongful action and has not used any prohibited substance or method, Article 10.2.1.1 ADR places the burden on the Athlete to establish that the ADRV was not intentional.

This is the first case in World Triathlon or ITU history of an abnormality found in the Athlete’s Biological Passport. World Triathlon believes it continues to integrate the ABP properly and successfully into its doping control program by weighing all factors including the required resources and capacity to operate such a program. As such, you can all expect for World Triathlon to continue to build is ABP database in 2021,  to use it to complement all its other anti-doping initiatives effectively and efficiently, and to pursue any apparent anti-doping rule violations arising therefrom.