On Friday Switzerland’s anti-doping organization, Swiss Sport Integrity (SSI), announced cyclist Alexandre Sideris received a 3 month ban after testing positive for THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a psychoactive substance found in marijuana.

The 23 year-old BMX Park Freestyle specialist is the reigning Swiss National Champion and has won the title 4 years in a row (2021-2024).

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibits THC in-competition when the urinary concentration exceeds 150 ng/mL. According to WADA, at that level an athlete would be competing significantly impaired… or what some might call “high.”

Athletes testing positive who can establish that the THC use occured out-of-competition and unrelated to athletic performance may receive a significantly shorter suspension – months instead of years.

Including THC on WADA’s Prohibited List remains controversial. In 2022 WADA Director General Olivier Niggli commented, “The question of how THC should be dealt with in a sporting context is not straightforward. WADA is aware of the diversity of opinions and perceptions related to this substance around the world, and even within certain countries. WADA is also mindful that the few requests for THC’s removal from the Prohibited List are not supported by the experts’ thorough review. We are also conscious that the laws of many countries – as well as broad international regulatory laws and policies – support maintaining cannabis on the List at this time.”

On the same day SSI announced Sideris’ suspension he finished serving the 3 month ban, 3 February 2025 – 2 May 2025. He is now eligible to compete for a record fifth national championship title in August.

Photo Credit: Frontalvision

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