PH Olympic weightlifter Vanessa Sarno accepts two-year ban due to violation

Philippine weightlifter Vanessa Sarno has been banned for two years due to an anti-doping rule violation.

In a statement, the International Testing Agency confirmed that Sarno has agreed to the consequences for her violation under Article 2.4 of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules.

Athletes are required to provide the Anti-Doping Organization with their whereabouts for drug testing. This information includes their home address, regular activities, and competition schedules, as well as a specific 60-minute window each day when they can be tested.

A "whereabouts failure" happens if an athlete is not at the location they provided during their designated testing window (a missed test), or if they fail to submit their information on time or provide inaccurate details (a filing failure).

Per ITA, Sarno committed three whereabouts failures within 12 months. Her ineligibility began on Aug. 4 and ends on Aug. 3, 2027. 

Because of this, Sarno's individual competitive results from the date of commission of the ADRV, which is January 1, 2025, until the start of the period of ineligibility, are disqualified, including forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes.

She will also not be able to participate in the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian Games, the 2026 Asian Games, and the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships. 

The mentioned article said that athletes have the right to choose not to have their case referred to a hearing panel wherein the anti-doping organization will "assess the athlete's case file and establish the applicable consequences pursuant to the anti-doping rules and the athlete will have the right to accept the proposed consequences." 

"The decision may be challenged before the appeal division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport by the parties with a right of appeal in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the IWF ADR," ITA said.

The statement concluded, "The ITA will not comment further on this case." 

'This is not a drugs case'

Meanwhile, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella said that Sarno's suspension was not due to a failed drug test. 

"This is not a drug case. No tests. No doping. Just failure to report her whereabouts," Puentevella told the media outlet, highlighting that her sanction stemmed from not reporting where Sarno is, as "every national team lifter must report quarterly." 

"Every [national] team lifter must report quarterly on where she is. In her case, she got pregnant, so she didn't bother to report anymore. She's resting in Bohol now. No drugs issue."  

Sarno won a gold medal during the  2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships and the 2023 Southeast Asian Games. She also made history by winning three gold medals at the 2023 Asian Youth and Junior Championships.