Paris Olympics 2024: 6X French Track Champion Mouhamadou Fall Open To Challenge Doping Suspension

The doping issue seems to extend its tentacles in the host country just before the Paris Olympics 2024. According to the latest revelation, French athlete Mouhamadou Fall has been handed suspension by French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) for taking the banned substance, heptaminol. His lawyers might move further to appeal against the sanction of AFLD. However, the incident goes back to the French Elite Championships in July 2023. 

Previously, he had appeared at the headquarters of AFLD to defend his three breaches as per the obligations. At that moment, the French 100m sensation had received a breather from the authority, as it had overturned one of the breaches. However, the question of the ongoing two years of suspension was lurking behind.

It had received further fuel as in the subsequent month, a trace of heptaminol was found in his sample when he had participated in the French Championships. So, the AFLD came heavily on him, taking a stringent measure. However, now, his banning duration has come down to nine months more as AFLD handed him the order on April 29. But that will hinder Fall’s participation chance in the Paris Olympics 2024. 

So Fall resorted to his lawyers Christophe Ayala and Vincent Chametier for further application to the state agency to take a middle ground. Previously, the lawyers planned to set up a mercy ground. In such a provision, they asked for “a simple warning”. However, things are looking different now. 

Fall’s defense did not work 

Since the start, Mouhamadou Fall has been declining the entire allegation. He has staunchly argued over not consuming heptaminol willingly. Rather, renowned toxicologist Jean-Claude Alvarez informed the presence of octodrine in Fall’s sample. Incidentally, heptaminol is a metabolite of octodrine. As per WADA, both these elements come under the list of stimulants. So these are banned substances. But Fall’s logic is that he consumed heptaminol unknowingly, from a supplement. However, the supplement’s ingredient list did not display heptaminol’s name. So, the entire case should come under the blatant case of accidental contamination. The plea was filed in front of AFLD. But they did not pay a heed. 

On the other hand, Antoine Marcelaud, the director of legal affairs, wanted to pay attention to such a request and decrease the 24 months to 15 months. Now, the nine-month penalty came after a lot of discussion. Even so, it is heavy enough to keep Mouhamadou Fall away from the Paris Olympics 2024. Now, another further plea could give a way out. Meanwhile, Fall let slip his emotions after facing the situation. “I feel like everything is falling on me,” he said. As of now, he is training in the El Paso athletic facility, waiting for a firm solution.