Head of World Athletics Integrity Unit admits Peter Bol’s bungled drug case was not fair on Bol

Peter Bol’s bungled drug case in early 2023 has been labelled as a disaster by the head of the World Athletics Integrity Unit, admitting it was not fair on the long-distance runner.

BIRMINGHAM 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES. 07/08/2022. Track and Field at Alexander Stadium. Mens 800 mtr final. Australian Peter Bol after finishing 2nd behind Wyclife Kimyanal of Kenya. Picture: Michael Klein

The head of World Athletics Integrity Unit has described Peter Bol’s bungled drug case as a “disaster”, admitting it wasn’t fair on the Australian runner.

David Howman, the chairman of the AIU, said his organisation would continue to push the World Anti Doping Agency over its review of EPO testing following the Bol debacle.

“The worst thing that could happen is what happened in that case,” Howman said.

“What we must do is to ensure that the process can be reviewed and re-conducted in a way that doesn’t end up in such a disaster. It’s not fair on the athlete. We accept that.

“What we have to do is ensure that WADA does its work in reviewing the whole process as they said they would and I think the minister in Australia has asked them to do that.

“We are waiting on that review, we will partake in it if we’re asked.”

Bol was provisionally suspended in January for a failed EPO test. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Howman and his right-hand man, former AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier, met with the world media two hours before Bol was run out in the heats of the 800m.

The Tokyo Olympic finalist was provisionally suspended in January for a failed EPO test but that was lifted a month later when testing of the B-sample came back inconclusive.

Sports Integrity Australia continued to investigate Bol but found no evidence of cheating, finally closing the case on August 1.

“When a B sample doesn’t match an A there has to be a review of the individual case,” Howman said. “There just has to be. And there needs to be an answer given which is satisfactory to the athlete who has gone through a process which has damaged his or her reputation.

“That’s the job of the World Anti-Doping Agency and that’s what we support that they’re doing and they’re doing it as soon as possible.”

Asked how athletes can still have faith in the testing process, Howman said it was the job of WADA to restore confidence in the system.

David Howman, Director General of the WADA, (left) says what happened to Bol was a disaster. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP)

“We haven’t been a party to the (Bol) case. We’ve been informed of the case because it’s an athlete … if you get a B not matching an A it’s really concerning,” he said.

“My experience will tell me that there are some times when there is too long between the sampling of the A and the B and there is a deterioration in the sample.

“There are a whole lot of aspects that have to be taken into account. I don’t know the answers in this particular case but we need it to be reviewed by WADA because they are the body that is the regulator.

“If that's the case, the process should be changed. You make sure that people can be confident in the processes that are in place. That’s the job of WADA.”

Originally published as Head of World Athletics Integrity Unit admits Peter Bol’s bungled drug case was not fair on Bol