Anti-doping law nets first prison sentence
The first person charged for violating a 2020 law that forbids conspiracies to taint international sports events through performance-enhancing drugs received a three-month prison sentence.
Federal prosecutors used the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act to charge Eric Lira, a Texasbased therapist, with supplying human-growth hormone and other performance enhancers to a pair of Nigerian athletes who were regulars on NCAA, Olympic Games and World Championships podiums.
Lira pleaded guilty in May. United States of America Attorney Damian Williams said the message the prison sentence sends: “Is important this year with the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Those tempted to supply performanceenhancing drugs to Olympians must understand the severity of their actions.”
Regulators at the World AntiDoping Agency lobbied against parts of the Rodchenkov Act, which passed without dissent through both houses of Congress before it was signed by then-President Donald Trump.
Two athletes Lira dealt with – Blessing Okagbare and Divine Oduduru – are serving multi-year bans. Meanwhile, prosecutors have expanded their probe to charge coaches who worked with Lira in the lead-up to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) called the sentencing a breakthrough that has put teeth into anti-doping rules.
“This ongoing collaboration between anti-doping organisations, law enforcement and other federal agencies will continue to impose meaningful consequences for those who conspire against clean athletes and fair sport,” USADA CEO Travis Tygart said.