British age-group triathlete given THREE-YEAR BAN for anti-doping violation

UKAD have announced that Louis Walker, an amateur triathlete who has represented the British Age Group team on two occasions, has been banned for an anti-doping violation.

After reportedly receiving a tip off via their ‘Protect Your Sport’ initiative, UKAD said that Walker admitted to the violations in an interview last April.

Strangely, the Brit went on to represent the British Age-Group team at the World Duathlon Championship in Ibiza four weeks after his confession.

Banned until September 2026

In a statement released on their website, UKAD said that Walker had been banned for the use and possession of a prohibited substance called Clenbuterol.

“UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has issued British Triathlete Louis Walker with a three-year ban from all sport following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Use and Possession of the Prohibited Substance, clenbuterol.   

“In February 2023, UKAD received intelligence via its confidential reporting initiative ‘Protect Your Sport’ that Mr Walker had been found in possession of a blister pack of Clenoxin tablets containing clenbuterol.

“Mr Walker admitted to both using and being in possession of clenbuterol during an interview with UKAD on 3 April 2023. Clenbuterol is listed under Section 1.2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2023 Prohibited List as an Anabolic Agent.”

After being provisionally suspended on 27 September 2023, Walker had his ban reduced by one-year after admitting to the charges and will be allowed to return to the sport from 26 September 2026.

“We are committed to clean sport”

As well as finishing 32nd in the Male 25-29 Age Group category at the World Duathlon Championship last April, Walker also represented Great Britain the previous year at the European Duathlon Championship in Bilbao.

Responding to the news, British Triathlon offered their thanks to the individual who reported Walker to the ‘Protect Your Sport’ initiative and said that they were committed to clean sport.

“We support UKAD’s decision and thank the person who initially raised their concerns about the athlete. As a national governing body, we are committed to clean sport and encourage anyone with a concern about an athlete to contact UKAD directly. 

“Since 2021, British Triathlon has increased the education and training available to elite and amateur athletes. All Home Nation members, and any athlete and their athlete support personnel who is a member of British Triathlon’s affiliate organisations or licensees (including clubs, teams, associations and academies) are bound by the British Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules which are the UK Anti-Doping Rules.”