Makatisi faces drug ban puisne
NTHAKO MAJORO
MASERU – Olympian Mokulubete Makatisi has been provisionally suspended from athletics after testing positive for a banned substance, Epitrenbolone. According to the Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO), Makatisi’s provisional suspension took effect on January 10, in accordance with Article 7.4.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules.
Epitrenbolone is a metabolite of Trenbolone, an anabolic steroid used to enhance muscle growth and performance, which is prohibited under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations. In a confidential email dated December 23, 2024, RADO notified Makatisi of her provisional suspension.
The email, which was copied to the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC), Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), Federation of Athletics Lesotho (FAL) and WADA, stated that Makatisi is provisionally suspended from participating in any competition or activity prior to the final decision being reached at a hearing of the matter.
“This notification is to inform you that the sample you provided in scope of an anti-doping control conducted under the Testing Authority of Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) Anti-Doping Rules has resulted in an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF),” reads RADO’s email.
The email further reads in part: “You have the opportunity to request (a) a provisional hearing, on a time basis after the imposition of the provisional suspension; or (b) an expedited hearing in accordance with Article 7.4.3 ADR on a timely basis after the imposition of the provisional suspension.”
Makatisi’s urine sample was collected on October 11, 2024, in an out-of-competition test, with sample code numbers A 1010499 9 and sample code numbers B 10110499.
The samples were transported to the WADA-accredited laboratory in Doha, Qatar for analysis. The laboratory analysed the A Sample and reported an AFF for the prohibited substances, Epitrenbolone and S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids.
The Africa Zone VI RADO has conducted an initial review of the AAF which revealed that Makatisi did not have an applicable Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”) to justify the presence of Epitrenbolone in her system.
“There is no apparent departure from the International Standard for Testing and Investigations or from the International Standard for Laboratories that caused the AAF,” the email reads.
“It is not apparent that the AAF was caused by an ingestion of the Methasterone through an authorised route.”
RADO stated that applicable consequences for the anti-doping rule violations may result in disqualification of results in a particular event or competition including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes, amongst others.
Makatisi, RADO said, she has the right to request copies of the A and B Sample laboratory documentation package (at her own cost (US$400 plus VAT, if applicable) which includes information as required by the International Standard for Laboratories.
“You have the right to request the opening and analysis of the B sample at the laboratory in Doha, Qatar,” RADO’s email further reads.
“You and/or your representative have the opportunity to attend the opening and analysis of the B sample in accordance with the International Standard for Laboratories.”
The email further reads: “Please note that in accordance (with) Article 14.3 ADR your identity, the prohibited substance and nature of the violations involved, and whether you are subject to a provisional suspension may be publicly disclosed (e.g. on the website of the ADO by ADO with results management responsibility after receipt of this notice.
An official from FAL, who requested anonymity, speaking to Public Eye confirmed the suspension but said the matter is confidential and, therefore, cannot comment on it.
“However, if you ask us, we will have to deny any knowledge regarding the suspension until the athlete in question is ready to speak out,” said the official.
He further said: “Again, this is due to the athlete being currently under provisional suspension.”
Another official involved in anti-doping matters in the country, who also requested to remain anonymous, said a provisional suspension of an athlete indicates that investigations are ongoing and that a final judgment will be rendered at a later date.
The official further said if the results are positive, they will be publicly announced, but said if are negative, they will not be disclosed to the public.
“The athlete is currently under provisional suspension as an investigation is underway to determine her intent regarding the use of a banned substance, including whether she sought an exemption,” said the official.
However, an insider from outside the country who is involved in athletics said Makatisi’s provisional suspension should have been made public from the very beginning.
“Basically, even at the doping agency level, when an athlete is provisionally suspended due to an A sample result, the suspension should take effect immediately and be made public,” said the source.
“They (RADO, FAL and LNOC) are supposed to advertise or put in on their website that athlete A is provisionally suspended awaiting analysis of Sample B.”
The source said if Sample A tests positive, Sample B is expected to yield the same result.
“But no one is saying anything about this, and the point of publicising a positive Sample A is to inform race organisers and sponsors.”
The source warned that if it is not publicised, the athlete could compete in race while prohibited.
He said even though such an athlete may face consequences, the issue is that if she performs well, she will still get paid, and recovering the money later would be a challenge.
“Typically, when an athlete is provisionally suspended but the suspension is not made public, the athlete may seize the opportunity to compete in another race and earn extra money, knowing that a full suspension, potentially lasting up to four years, is imminent.”
The source further said local athletics federations, particularly the LNOC, appear reluctant to publicly announce Makatisi’s suspension, as they had previously chosen her for the Paris Olympic Games over ’Neheng Khatala, who was the stronger qualifier.
“If you remember, this is the same athlete who was selected for the Olympics over ’Neheng Khatala, despite Khatala being the stronger qualifier. I believe this news will cause significant embarrassment for those involved once it becomes public.”
The source further said: “Everyone is keeping quiet and I think what will happen is that they will try to sweep this under the carpet. This is not fair to the integrity of both the athlete and athletics.”
The source also said he suspects that local administrators are hesitant to reveal this now due to the upcoming LNOC and FAL elections.
“They all prefer to remain silent, as they wish to avoid any information surfacing before the elections.
This is why they remain silent. They are prioritising job security, as they aspire to secure complimentary trips to a free trip to the Olympics and to World Championships, amongst others.”
LNOC Chief Executive Officer, Morake Raleaka, acknowledged that when an athlete is suspended for doping, both the FAL and LNOC are responsible for publicising the suspension. However, he explained that in this case, they are unable to do so because Makatisi has already responded to RADO.
“We are not in a position to publicise this because Makatisi has already responded to RADO, and RADO has yet to determine her case,” said Raleaka.
He further said: “We condemn doping and have no interest in Makatisi’s case. Our contract with her expired after the Paris Olympic Games last year.”
Makatisi is not the first Lesotho athlete to be caught doping. Elite athletes such as Mosito Lehata and ’Mamoroallo Tjoka have previously been suspended for doping, among others.
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) reported that Lehata tested positive for salbutamol and was charged with attempted tampering with the doping control process.
He admitted to the charges and waived his right to a hearing, entering into a ‘Results Management Agreement’ that resulted in a reduction of his sanction. His period of ineligibility began on June 9, 2021, and is set to end on June 8, 2026.
On the other hand, Tjoka was initially banned for two years in 2015 after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
In 2018, she received an eight-year suspension from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) for evading a doping test.
In August 2023, her appeal against this eight-year ban was unsuccessful, and the suspension was upheld.
