Multiple Athletes Face Doping Bans for Ipamorelin Use
Several prominent athletes across different sports have recently received significant suspensions due to doping violations involving the performance-enhancing substance Ipamorelin. This peptide hormone, known for its growth hormone-releasing properties, has led to bans for individuals in mixed martial arts, basketball, and weightlifting, highlighting ongoing concerns about its use in professional sports.
Key Takeaways
- David Branch, a UFC middleweight, has been suspended for two years after testing positive for Ipamorelin.
- NBA player Wilson Chandler received a 25-game ban for using the same substance.
- Weightlifter Alexei Lovchev was banned for four years and stripped of a world title due to Ipamorelin.
- Ipamorelin is classified as a Peptide Hormone, Growth Factor, Related Substance, or Mimetic, and is prohibited at all times by major anti-doping agencies.
UFC Star David Branch Suspended
United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced a two-year suspension for UFC middleweight David Branch. The 37-year-old tested positive for Ipamorelin in an out-of-competition urine sample collected on May 24, 2019. Ipamorelin is a potent Growth Hormone Secretagogue that stimulates the release of human growth hormone and is used by athletes to enhance performance and aid recovery. USADA noted that such peptides are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human use and carry serious health risks. Branch's suspension began retroactively on July 26, 2019, meaning he will be ineligible to compete until after July 26, 2021.
NBA's Wilson Chandler Faces Ban
Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler was suspended for 25 games by the NBA for using Ipamorelin. The league announced the suspension, which is without pay, after Chandler tested positive for the banned substance. Chandler stated that he was prescribed a treatment during his injury rehabilitation that included small doses of the substance, and he did not realise it was banned. Ipamorelin has been on the NBA's prohibited substance list since the 2016-17 season. The suspension cost Chandler a significant portion of his salary.
Weightlifter Alexei Lovchev Stripped of Title
In the sport of weightlifting, Alexei Lovchev, who had earned the title of "World's Strongest Man," was handed a four-year ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Lovchev tested positive for Ipamorelin at the 2015 IWF World Championships, where he had set a record total in the super heavyweight division. CAS upheld the decision by weightlifting officials to suspend him, resulting in the cancellation of his results from the 2015 championships and the forfeiture of his gold medal. The ban effectively erased his achievements from the record books.
The Dangers of Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin falls under the category of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics, which are prohibited at all times by organisations like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and adopted by various sports federations. Its use is primarily for performance enhancement and accelerated recovery from injuries. However, health authorities warn that these substances are not approved for human consumption and can pose significant health risks. The consistent detection of Ipamorelin in doping tests across multiple sports underscores the challenges faced by anti-doping agencies in maintaining fair competition.
Sources
- David Branch Receives Doping Sanction, www.usada.org.
- UFC middleweight David Branch suspended two years by USADA following failed drug test, MMA Fighting.
- Nets' Wilson Chandler suspended 25 games for PED use, New York Post.
- 'World's strongest man' loses bid to have his doping ban overturned, Los Angeles Times.
