Status of Issam Asinga - he's been training with the Texas A&M team

Thanks for investigating this issue.

If nothing else, wada/aiu should immediately amend the code to include training with any organization that trains national or world class athletes. It's a blatant loophole if it is even permissible, which I am skeptical of.

For example, are all members of USATF or the like "signatories"? I would hope so, as a condition of membership. If the organization is a signatory, YOU are a signatory as a member, in my opinion. Any other definition would be a total sham. Everyone on the USATF coach registry or any coach (or athlete) with even a membership, is, in my view, a "signatory". "USATF", after all, does not organize workouts and things of that nature. Members and registered/certified coaches, however DO. So if anyone involved is a USATF member, coach, athlete etc (and surely some are...) then it seems a possible violation. Or a blatant and obvious workaround for suspended athletes.

+1

I was quite sure that there are USATF athletes on his team, but maybe not?

I also recall that many DLV members didn't race as a precaution when the banned Baumann showed up at an indoor meeting some 20 years ago.

This is not related to the Q, but I was reading a Surinamese newspaper article about the situation where his Dad said he stands by his innocence and that if the B sample came back positive he would pay whatever it takes to find a lawyer to fight the case, even if he had to sell his house. I'd guess they're in long litigation processes which is why we haven't heard anything, also given his age.

I don't understand. The B sample already came back negative about a year ago - it is the reason why he wasn't allowed to compete at worlds.

Came back positive I think you mean.

THIS is high-level track now.

If I wanted to spend my time on this stuff, I would have gone into criminal law—a field which I purposely stayed away from.

Sucks, AND lame. One loser family’s boring personal attempt to “make it”, the wrong way.

Next.

whoops, yep. my bad.

I am wondering whether something is off on the AIU side. Asinga isn't the only one whose case should have been referred to the DT several months ago. Jebet (nandro) is also waiting since August, and Cherono even since July (trimetazidine). Remember how Shelburrito complained that her case wasn't sent to the DT within three months? Likewise there are cases with the DT since several months too (Kipruto since May 2023, Braz since July, Kwemoi since August). Terrible situation all around.

Furthermore, the announcement of provisional suspensions seems to be much less this year (about 1 per month) than during recent years (3 - 4 per month?). The latter could be due to a cleaner sport, all of a sudden, but I find that hard to believe. Maybe overworked/understaffed?