PARIS, May 29, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Brazil's 2016 Olympic champion Thiago Braz
will not be able to attempt to regain his title in Paris this year having
been banned for 16 months for doping on Tuesday by the Athletics Integrity
Unit.

"The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned Rio 2016 Olympic champion
Thiago Braz for 16 months for the presence of ostarine glucuronide," read an
AIU statement.

The 30-year-old had protested his innocence saying he had consumed it
"through sports supplements containing the banned substance."

Braz -- who took bronze in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games three years ago --
has got off lightly as the AIU had sought a four-year ban "contending in
particular that he was 'reckless' and acted with 'indirect intent'."

His lawyers said in a statement they had appealed the decision, in order to
overturn the sanction or further reduce the period of ineligibility, so that
Braz can "freely participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics."

However, they described the reduced ban as "extremely positive".

The AIU has said it will consider appealing the shortened period of
ineligibility.

"Athletes from Brazil, including Mr Braz, have been specifically educated
about the dangers surrounding the use of supplements from compound pharmacies
in Brazil," said AIU Head Brett Clothier.

"This has occurred via AIU online forums and AIU athlete advisory notices. In
the light of these very clear warnings, it is disappointing to be dealing
with such a case."

The Disciplinary Tribunal ruled that, while Braz had been "personally
informed" about the high risk of contamination involved in using the
supplements and had consequently "ignored this risk", he was not deemed to
have manifestly disregarded the risk because he had relied on his medical
team for advice.

A majority of the panel determined he was not at "significant fault or
negligence".

Braz, who was provisionally suspended by the AIU on 28 July, 2023 after
returning a positive result following an in-competition test at the Diamond
League meeting in Stockholm on 2 July, will be barred from competing until 27
November, 2024.