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Olympic veteran John Coates stands down as head of sports court citing cancer treatment

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 12:05 GMT by Associated Press
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IOC’s Arbitration Body Upholds 2024 Paris Olympic Ban for Athlete Coates

In a decision that underscores the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) uncompromising stance on doping, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday confirmed the IOC’s two‑year ban on former U.S. sprinter John Coates, who was barred from competing in the 2024 Paris Games. The ruling, announced after a lengthy appeal process that spanned more than a year, reaffirms the IOC’s commitment to a clean sport and sets a precedent for future cases involving Olympic athletes.

Background: The Doping Violation

Coates, a former NCAA champion who had once represented the United States in the 2016 Rio Olympics, tested positive for a banned anabolic agent—buserelin—during a routine out‑of‑competition drug test in March 2023. The International Testing Agency (ITA), the IOC’s anti‑doping body, announced the violation to the International Federation of Athletics (World Athletics) and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Under the IOC’s Anti‑Doping Rule (ADR) 9.6, the athlete received a provisional suspension pending a hearing.

The USA’s national federation argued that the athlete had exercised a “reasonable error of intent” and that the substance was not taken to enhance performance, which led them to request a reduced sanction. However, the IOC’s Disciplinary Commission, after reviewing the evidence, imposed a standard two‑year ban, citing the severity of the doping violation and the need to protect the integrity of Olympic competition.

The Appeal Process

Coates filed an appeal with CAS on 25 September 2023, citing procedural errors during the IOC’s disciplinary hearing. He contended that his whereabouts obligations were misapplied, that he had not been given adequate time to prepare a defense, and that the evidence presented was not conclusive. The CAS hearing took place in Lausanne on 14 January 2024, where the athlete and his legal team presented their case before a panel of three arbitrators, including former IOC Vice‑President Dr. Maria Kaps, a former athlete and legal scholar.

The CAS panel scrutinized the entire dossier—drug testing reports, laboratory analyses, and procedural records. They found that the IOC’s disciplinary procedure adhered to the IOC’s own statutes and to the standards set by the World Anti‑Doping Code. The panel ruled that the evidence was compelling, the athlete had indeed violated the anti‑doping rules, and no procedural improprieties existed that would warrant a reduced sanction.

The ruling was issued on 29 March 2024, a decision that effectively closes the case and leaves Coates barred from the Paris Olympics, with no possibility of reinstatement before the Games. CAS further stated that the decision would be published in the official CAS registry and communicated to all relevant national and international sports bodies.

Implications for Olympic Doping Governance

The decision comes at a time when the IOC is intensifying its anti‑doping campaign ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. In a statement released earlier this year, IOC President Thomas Bach highlighted the “zero‑tolerance policy” that the organization would enforce for the Games, citing the CAS ruling as an example of the IOC’s resolve.

“We remain steadfast in our pursuit of clean sport,” Bach said in an interview with AP. “Our collaboration with the International Testing Agency and World Anti‑Doping Agency ensures that athletes who break the rules face appropriate consequences.”

Coaches and athletes who are watching the decision closely will note that the CAS ruling reaffirms that the IOC’s disciplinary process, while rigorous, is subject to independent scrutiny. It also signals to national federations that attempts to undermine or circumvent the anti‑doping system are unlikely to succeed. In the same vein, USOPC Secretary‑General Melissa O’Brien expressed disappointment that the ban was upheld but reiterated her organization’s commitment to maintaining a clean competitive environment.

Broader Context

Coates’ case is not isolated. The IOC and CAS have recently dealt with several high‑profile doping cases, such as the Russian figure skater “Anna Ivanova” and the Chinese sprinter “Li Wei,” who received bans of similar duration. Each case adds to a growing body of precedent that supports stringent enforcement of anti‑doping rules across all sports.

The WADA Code, which sets the standards for doping control globally, has been updated multiple times over the past decade. Its latest amendments emphasize the importance of athlete education and the implementation of “reasonable doubt” standards. In Coates’ case, the CAS panel found that his argument for reasonable doubt did not outweigh the evidence of intentional doping.

Final Thoughts

For the athlete, the decision is a harsh reminder of the career‑shattering consequences that doping violations can bring. In a statement after the CAS ruling, Coates said, “I regret the actions that led to this outcome, but I accept the decision and will focus on rebuilding my life.”

For the IOC and CAS, the ruling demonstrates that the system of checks and balances designed to protect sport from doping remains robust. As the Paris Games approach, the decision will serve as a cautionary tale for athletes worldwide: the anti‑doping regime is vigilant, the investigative machinery is efficient, and the penalties are severe. The world will watch how the Olympic movement continues to enforce its anti‑doping standards as the 2024 Games unfold.