I feel for him personally but am glad they are insisting on the drug tests.
Remember, this guy beat Klecker earlier this year.
Zouhair Talbi wrote:
I don’t know how to start this, but I have some unfortunate news to share. I know that a lot of you were excited for me to run in the Olympics - what would have been the biggest event of my life. Today I have been notified that I won’t be eligible to compete.
On May 14, I shocked myself and many others, running the Olympics standard in the 10k. An achievement that I am very proud of.
After this, the Moroccan federation contacted me, asking me to join their Olympic team ASAP. Upon my return to Morocco I had a meeting with the federation doctor in which he explained the Rules of Anti-doping obligations before the Olympics to me.
This rule states:
Category A’ country must undergo at least three no-notice out-of- competition tests (urine and blood) conducted no less than 3 weeks apart in the 10 months leading up to a major event. Only then do they become eligible to represent their national team at the World Athletics Championships or the Olympic Games.
Due to the fact that I was a student in USA, I had no notice out of competition tests from Moroccan Anti-Doping Organization. So the doctor contacted the Athletics integrity unit to explain my case and how I hadn’t even been in Morocco, making it impossible for me to receive those 3 tests 3 weeks apart. That same day the doctor got the response from the AIU that it was fine for me to simply do the three tests without the three week waiting periods. At this, I was ecstatic, knowing that all of my hard work was finally going to pay off.
After this, everything ran smoothly, I did three doping control , as I got my Accreditation, traveling to Tokyo both physically and mentally prepared to compete.
Then, the day before my race, I was informed that the Athletics integrity unit had changed their minds about my exception.
This means that I am disqualified from the race.
It’s difficult to put into words the emotions that I’m feeling right now. It’s like getting everything you’ve ever wanted taken away from you, just as it was right within your grasp.
To say the least I m overwhelmed, disappointed, and angry at the deliverance of this news.