South African amateur triathlete and cyclist Dan Howitz, 40, has been handed a two-year suspension after refusing to submit to a required doping control, according to a decision published on Friday by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS).
SAIDS reported that officials attempted to conduct an in-competition test on Howitz on Saturday 28 February 2026. The athlete refused to provide a sample after being notified for testing, resulting in a charge under Article 2.3 of South Africa’s Anti-Doping Rules, which covers evading, refusing, or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification.
Howitz is a long-time South African age-group triathlete with international championship experience. World Triathlon records show he represented South Africa at multiple age-group world championships in 2011 and 2012, including an eighth-place finish in the 25-29 category at the 2011 Aquathlon World Championships in Beijing.
More recently, he competed in the Old Wealth Double Century, Lions Karoo to Coast MTB race and won the men’s 35-39 category at IRONMAN 70.3 Durban in 2024. On February 28 he finished 15th at Xterra South Africa — the same day he committed the anti-doping violation.
Unlike many doping cases involving prohibited substances, Article 2.3 violations do not require a positive test result. Under the World Anti-Doping Code, refusing or failing to submit to testing is treated as a serious anti-doping rule violation on par with a positive test result because it undermines the integrity of the anti-doping system.
According to the decision, Howitz accepted responsibility for the anti-doping rule violation and agreed to a suspension beginning on Wednesday 15 April 2026. SAIDS classified him as a recreational athlete and imposed a reduced suspension of two years, which will remain in effect through Tuesday 14 April 2028.
Photo Credit: SAIDS
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