United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced last week that Polish ultra triathlete Robert Karas has been banned 8 years for his second positive anti-doping test result in as many years.

Karas tested positive for the banned substance Clomiphene at the Florida ANVIL Ultra Triathlon on 24 February 2024, just 9 months after he was banned 2 years by the International Ultra Triathlon Association (IUTA) for Drostanolone and Meldonium doping in Brasil.

The 35 year-old ultra endurance athlete holds an impressive list of accomplishments, including the IUTA triple world record (7-mile swim, 340-mile bike, 78-mile run) completed in 30:48:57.

Clomiphene is a non-steroidal fertility medicine that stimulates ovulation in women and Testosterone production in men, while also reducing negative effects that accompany anabolic steroid use.

Drostanolone is an anabolic–androgenic steroid created to help treat breast cancer, but also used illicitly by some athletes to increase muscle mass and strength.

Meldonium is primarily prescribed to treat heart conditions, though athletes report it enhances endurance performance and post-event recovery, though these claims lack rigorous scientific testing.

Karaś received an extended 8-year ‘ultra’ ban from USADA because this was his second violation within a 10-year period. The new ban begins 30 May 2025, immediately following the expiration of the first, and ends 30 May 2033.

Read the full USADA decision HERE

Photo Credit: FAME MMA

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