Ironman athlete BANNED for two years after testing positive during out-of-competition test

The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on Tuesday that they have banned a long course athlete for two years after he tested positive for a performance enhancing drug.

Derik Felix Afornali, who competed as an age-group athlete in multiple long distance events, tested positive for Clomifene on 4 October 2022.

The ITA confirmed that Afornali has accepted the two years of ineligibility, which will cover all sports and run until 3 October 2024.

ITA release statement

In a statement released by the ITA, the agency reported that having been recently appointed to “handle the results management and intelligence & investigations of anti-doping rule violations on behalf of IRONMAN”, they have banned Afornali.

“The ITA, on behalf of IRONMAN, hereby reports that Brazil athlete Derik Felix Afornali has committed an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) under article 2.1 of the IRONMAN Anti-Doping Rules (IRONMAN ADR) for the presence of clomifene in a sample collected out-of-competition by IRONMAN on 4 October 2022.

“The sample collected from Derik Felix Afornali returned an adverse analytical finding for the specified prohibited substance clomifene.

“Clomifene is prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List as hormone and metabolic modulator (S4.2).

“Clomifene has the potential effects of boosting or restoring testosterone production and thus increasing muscle mass.”

Banned until October 2024

Afornali, who won his age-group at races such as Ironman 70.3 Maceió and IRONMAN 70.3 Florianapolis, competed at the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii in 2017 and 2022.

His ban, which has been backdated to the date of the test and will run until October this year, was not appealed, with the ITA reporting that he agreed to the consequences.

“Derik Felix Afornali did not challenge the ADRV and agreed with the consequences proposed by the ITA. A two year period of ineligibility is the standard sanction for specified substances.  

“Accordingly, this case was resolved via an acceptance of consequences pursuant to article 8.3.1 of the IRONMAN ADR.

“The athlete’s period of ineligibility across all sports ran until 3 October 2024 and any competition results obtained by the athlete after the positive test of 4 October 2022 are disqualified.”