‘Your actions were particularly bold’: Why amateur athlete S. was suspended for nine years

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The message makes you sit up and take notice. “Mountain runner banned for nine years,” Swiss Sport Integrity (SSI), the Swiss anti-doping authority, wrote on its homepage on November 17. And further: “The ban applies to all sports and all positions in sports worldwide.”

A nine-year ban for an amateur athlete – a case unique in Swiss sport. But how could it get to this point? Blick spoke extensively with the convicted Madeleine S.* and with Ernst König, director of SSI since 2018. A day after the conversation, the 37-year-old suddenly withdrew her statements and banned Blick from publishing her statements.

The background to this extraordinary case.

It all started when the SSI received concrete evidence of an anti-doping law violation through a law enforcement investigation. It was about the possession and use of Sustanon, Oxandrolone and growth hormones. “Normally, this offense carries a four-year ban,” explains König, who is not allowed to provide full details, “but if the athlete admits to the offense, a fair trial is waived and the ban is reduced to three years. She signed and returned this agreement, thereby admitting the allegations.”

Therefore, in June 2023, S. received a three-year suspension and a fine of 120 francs. Out of respect for her personal and professional life, her name was not publicly released at the time. König: “It is common for amateur athletes not to mention their names.”

“It is a multiple offense”

Normally, S.’s doping file would end at this point. But not in this case. Because the woman from Fribourg subsequently ignored the ban and took part in the Cervino Matterhorn Ultra Race in July, the SSI became active again. And finally, on November 17, it was announced: “The Swiss mountain runner Madeleine S., who had already been suspended for three years, was suspended for another six years due to undue influence.” She further explains: “In the context of an investigation into a possible violation of the participation ban imposed on her (three-year ban), the suspect attempted to impermissibly influence the investigation in her favor by means of misleading and false statements.”

It is no coincidence that the SSI mentioned her name in its second press release. S.’s action would have been too bold. Therefore, even at first glance, nine years is a very high penalty for an amateur athlete. König: “Proportionality is very important in our work. If you don’t know all the details, you might think nine years is too hard. However, because her actions were particularly brazen and involve a multiple offense (first trafficking and possession of doping substances, then misleading and undue influence on part of the doping control process), I must say very clearly that a nine-year ban and mentioning her name is proportionate.”

* Name of the editor known

Source : Blick