SAIDS hands down FOUR doping sanctions across multiple sports
· The South African
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has announced a series of anti-doping sanctions imposed during May and June 2026, with athletes from rugby, athletics, triathlon and powerlifting receiving bans ranging from two to three years.
Visit mwafrika.life for more information.
The sanctions stem from positive drug tests as well as refusals to submit to sample collection, both of which constitute anti-doping rule violations under the World Anti-Doping Code.
Rugby player banned for three years
Rugby player Liam Santos has been handed a three-year ban after testing positive for prohibited anabolic steroids following an in-competition test on 20 February 2026.
SAIDS reported that Santos’ sample contained metabolites of Drostanolone and Dehydrochloromethyl-Testosterone, substances classified under Category S1 (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) on the 2026 World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list.
Although the standard sanction was four years, it was reduced to three years after Santos admitted the violation at an early stage. His suspension runs from 24 April 2026 until 23 April 2029.
Athletics athlete also receives three-year sanction
Athlete Jackson Ole Koisenge received a three-year ban after testing positive for 19-norandrosterone, as well as the glucocorticoids Prednisone and Prednisolone, during an in-competition test conducted on 22 February 2026.
The substances are prohibited under anti-doping regulations, with 19-norandrosterone classified as an anabolic steroid and Prednisone and Prednisolone prohibited during competition.
Like Santos, Koisenge’s initial four-year sanction was reduced to three years because of his early admission of the offence. His period of ineligibility will run until 23 April 2029.
Triathlete sanctioned for refusing test
Triathlete Dan Howitz was banned for two years after refusing and failing to submit to sample collection during an in-competition test attempt on 28 February 2026.
SAIDS classified the violation under Article 2.3 of its Anti-Doping Rules, which covers evading, refusing or failing to submit to testing without compelling justification.
Howitz accepted a voluntary provisional suspension and provided mitigating evidence. As a recreational athlete, he received a reduced two-year sanction running from 15 April 2026 to 14 April 2028.
Powerlifter banned after refusing out-of-competition test
Powerlifter Maahir Martin was also sanctioned after refusing an out-of-competition doping test on 26 March 2026.
SAIDS charged Martin under Article 2.3 of its Anti-Doping Rules. He declined the opportunity to have his case heard before a disciplinary panel but later accepted responsibility for the violation.
His original four-year sanction was reduced to three years following an early admission. The ban began on 19 May 2026 and will remain in effect until 18 May 2029.
Under anti-doping regulations, both the use of prohibited substances and the refusal to provide samples when requested can result in lengthy suspensions, with sanctions varying depending on the nature of the offence and the athlete’s level of cooperation.
What percentage of sportsmen and sportswomen do you think are ‘clean’ these days?
Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …