The ITA reports that triathlete Baqer Idrees has been sanctioned with a 2-year period of ineligibility
The International Testing Agency (ITA), leading an anti-doping program for World Triathlon, reports that Iraqi triathlete Baqer Idrees has accepted a two-year period of ineligibility after testing positive for the prohibited substances prednisone and prednisolone.
The ITA reports that triathlete Baqer Idrees has agreed¹ to the consequences imposed for his anti-doping rule violation (“ADRV”).
The athlete provided a sample on 11 November 2023 during the 2023 Asia Triathlon Sprint Championships held in Al-Khobar (Saudi Arabia) which yielded an adverse analytical finding² (AAF) for prednisone and prednisolone.
Prednisone and prednisolone are prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List in the category of S9. Glucocorticoids. These substances are prohibited in-competition only and are classified as specified substances. Glucocorticoids can enhance performance by reducing inflammation in the body and/or treating injuries or asthma.
The athlete did not challenge the ADRV and agreed with the consequences proposed by the ITA, namely a period of ineligibility of two years from 8 September 2025 until 7 September 2027 and disqualification of competitive results from 11 November 2023 onwards.
The relevant stakeholders, namely the World Anti-Doping Agency and the National Olympic Committee of Iraq, have a right to appeal the consequences imposed before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
The original press release can be found here: (https://triathlon.org/news/the-ita-reports-that-triathlete-baqer-idrees-has-been-sanctioned-with-a-2-year-period-of-ineligibility)
