Appeal Filed: Knighton Cleared for Olympics

The Athletics Integrity Unit has initiated an appeal challenging the decision to clear USA sprinter Erriyon Knighton of a doping charge, which allowed him to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The appeal has been filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Knighton, who is 20 years old, tested positive for trenbolone—a banned substance used to enhance muscle growth—in March. He managed to avoid a suspension after an independent arbitrator concluded that he most likely ingested the substance through contaminated meat.

Despite the positive test result, Knighton participated in the Olympics and secured fourth place in the men’s 200m final.

The AIU’s appeal disputes the ruling made by the arbitration tribunal in the U.S., which found that Knighton had no fault or negligence.

USADA chief executive Travis Tygart stated that while USADA understands the AIU's actions, the core issue lies with the inadequate rules established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Tygart highlighted that trenbolone, a substance used in livestock, frequently contaminates meat supplies.

This situation reflects ongoing tensions between USADA and WADA. In June, WADA hinted at the possibility of appealing the Knighton case to CAS and speculated about how Tygart would have responded if the athlete were from China. Tygart had previously demanded penalties for Chinese athletes who were cleared of unintentional doping before the Paris Games.