Russia’s Weightlifting Champion Tatiana Kashirina Gets 8-Year Ban For Doping

Just four weeks after her return to international competition, world weightlifting champion Tatiana Kashirina has been banned for eight years after a doping violation was overturned. The decision effectively ended the 32-year-old’s career.

Kashirina, a five-time super heavyweight world champion and multiple world record holder, made women’s weightlifting history in 2014 when she lifted 348 kg at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Kazakhstan.

Her doping violation problems began in 2006, when she tested positive at the age of 15 and was suspended for two years. This second offense triggered the standard eight-year suspension for repeat offenders.

The second offense came to light during an investigation into past misconduct at a laboratory in Moscow. He was provisionally suspended in November 2020 for ‘using or attempting to use a prohibited substance or method’, although this offense is believed to have occurred before 2015.

Eight months later, the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee of the Russian State Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) found no wrongdoing against Kasilina. However, this decision came too late for Kasilina to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games; in September, RUSADA appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which was upheld by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

As officially announced by RUSADA, both appeals were upheld by CAS. Kashyrina’s eight-year suspension began last Monday and she will be 40 when it ends.

WADA’s investigation into the Moscow laboratory, known as LIMS, resulted in more than 200 doping charges against athletes from various sports.

Despite Russia’s inability to participate in IWF competitions under its own flag and its refusal to accept conditions imposed on weightlifters to participate as a neutral country, Kashirina returned to international competition in August and made a successful comeback, competing in the 87 kg weight class. Kashirina was successful in all six lifts, lifting a total of 262 kg.

In Kashirina’s own words, “I would have liked to do more if necessary. I’m happy to show everyone what I can do in the gym. I’ve been doing this sport for 22 years and I’m really proud of it.”