ITA Reports Adverse Analytical Finding
The International Testing Agency (ITA) today reported an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) against Dominican Republic weightlifter Zacarias Bonnat from an out-of-competition test. The ITA has informed the athlete and implemented a provisional suspension against him. As a result, Mr Bonnat will not compete in the upcoming IWF World Championships. The IWF and Mr Bonnat agreed that Mr Bonnat will immediately self-suspend himself from his position as athlete representative on the Executive Board and will withdraw himself from the upcoming elections to the IWF Athletes’ Commission. The case will continue to be handled entirely by the ITA as the independent body responsible for the IWF’s anti-doping programme. The IWF has worked with the ITA since 2018 as part of the federation’s concerted efforts to ensure its anti-doping programme is delivered externally and to the highest international standards. The IWF has a zero-tolerance policy on doping and this case follows an expansion in the amount of out-of-competition testing conducted by the ITA. The IWF at its recent Executive Board meeting in Rome in October also strengthened its commitment to protecting clean athletes with proposals to further enhance the programme included expanding investigative powers, improving education, introducing minimum testing requirements for member federations, and addressing resources in intelligence and investigation.
