Erriyon Knighton given “no fault” violation after positive test

Double world 200m medallist and world U20 record-holder in distance will be able to compete at the US Olympic Trials

Erriyon Knighton, regarded as one of the best young sprinters in track and field, tested positive for a banned substance earlier this year but was subsequently cleared after an independent arbitrator ruled that the substance was more likely than not ingested through contaminated meat.

Th 20-year-old sprints star, who has won a world 200m bronze and silver medal, tested positive for a metabolite of trenbolone during an out-of-competition drug test on March 26, 2024.

Knighton was provisionally suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on April 12.

After a full evidentiary hearing on June 14 and 16, which involved Knighton, USADA and witness, an independent arbitrator determined that the US athlete would receive a “no fault” violation.

This meant that his provisional suspension was immediately lifted and he is cleared to compete at the upcoming US Olympic Trials (June 21 – 30).

“We did what the rules require us to do in all positive cases,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “We can take comfort that justice was served and transparency as required by the rules was achieved.”

USADA concluded: “After the hearing, the arbitrator determined that Knighton’s positive test was more likely than not caused by consuming meat contaminated with trenbolone, which is a known livestock growth promoter that is used legally in beef cattle produced in and exported to the United States.

“Knighton tested positive despite any fault or negligence, so he will not face a period of ineligibility. Since the sample was collected out-of-competition, there are no competitive results to disqualify.”

Both WADA and the Athletics Integrity Unit have a right to appeal the arbitrator’s decision.

Erriyon Knighton (World Athletics)

Knighton’s only competition this season was back on February 10 where he clocked 20.21 over 200m indoors at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais meet in Liévin.

Last year, the US athlete backed up his 200m bronze from Oregon with a silver over the distance in Budapest.

Knighton is also the world U20 200m record-holder with 19.69 and the fifth fastest over half a lap in history, only surpassed by Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Noah Lyles and Michael Johnson.

He also has personal bests of 10.04 and 46.15 in the 100m and 400m respectively.

» Subscribe to AW magazine here