Paris (AFP)
Russia's Sergey Bakulin, former world champion in the 50-kilometer race, has been suspended for eight years for irregularities in his biological passport, his second doping ban, announced the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Wednesday.
Bakulin had already been suspended for anomalies in his biological passport by his federation in January 2015, a sanction reshaped in 2016 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which had made him lose his world title acquired in 2011 and his 6th place of the Games. London in 2012, both times over 50 km walk.
Back in the competition in 2016, Sergey Bakulin could only compete on national races, given the suspension of the Russian Federation by the International Federation (IAAF) since November 2015 and a vast doping scandal. He did not have the status of neutral athlete that allows some of his compatriots to compete in international competitions.
The IAU has decided to impose an eight-year suspension on Bakulin until April 2027. At the age of 32, this should mean the end of his career, even though he may still appeal this penalty to the CAS.
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