Russian Olympian Triathlete Igor Polyanskiy Caught Doping
Russian triathlete and Olympian Igor Polyanskiy has been caught doping following an out-of-competition test. Drug-Cheat Testing is intelligence-led and risk-based, and is conducted with ‘no advanced notice’.
World Triathlon reported that a sample taken from Igor Polyanskiy, a Russian triathlete, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for Recombinant Erythropoietin (EPO) (S2. Peptide, Hormones, Growth factors, Related Substances and Mimetics).
The sample was collected by World Triathlon during an out-of-competition anti-doping control on 21 July 2021 in Vladivostok, Russia. World Triathlon was informed of the case on August 5, 2021, by the WADA-accredited laboratory.
The athlete has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample and to challenge the imposition of the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport – Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD).
Russia’s massive doping scandals has already tarnished their athletic reputation, particularly as the country are, technically, officially banned from competing in international sporting events until next year for running a state-sponsored doping program. Russia has acknowledged shortcomings in its implementation of anti-doping policies, but vehemently denies running a state-sponsored doping programme. However, with the latest case of doping Russia will now have to sit with this elephant in the room
Ironically, Polyanskiy took part in the Tokyo Olympic Games Triathlon, in the individual and mixed relays, under the banner of ROC standing for “Russian Olympic Committee” as one of the athletes that wasn’t involved in the Russian doping scandal.
Recombinant Erythropoietin (EPO) widely known as Blood Doping is the misuse of certain techniques and/or substances to increase one’s red blood cell mass, which allows the body to transport more oxygen to muscles and therefore increase stamina and performance. It is also suggested that it may increase the body’s capacity to buffer lactic acid.
With the recent announcement of Ukraine’s Yuliya Yelistratova being caught for EPO doping prior to Olympic Games it’s a sad reflection on the sport of triathlon that international athletes from Eastern European countries are being found to be cheating to enhance performance in what is essentially a clean sport.
