BONN, Germany (AP) — A powerlifter from Azerbaijan has had his life ban from the Paralympics lifted after his former girlfriend admitted spiking his drink with an anabolic steroid.
The International Paralympic Committee describes Gunduz Ismayilov’s situation as “a very unique case with a unique set of circumstances.”
Ismayilov was banned for life after testing positive for stanozolol before competing at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece.
He had already served a two-year ban for testing positive for the steroid nandrolone after winning gold at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.
The IPC says Friday that Ismayilov’s “former partner — an athlete who also competed in Athens — admitted in a Baku court of law that she had sabotaged his drink in the Athens Paralympic Village.”
