Baghdad, Iraq, July 27, 2024: The President of the National Olympic Committee of Iraq, Dr. Aqeel Muften, has ordered an investigation into the apparent anti-doping rule violation of judoka Sajjad Ghanim Sehen Sehen.
The International Testing Agency announced on Friday, July 26 that a sample taken out of competition in Paris on July 23 had returned an adverse analytical finding, and that the athlete had been provisionally suspended.
In response, the Iraq NOC leader has encouraged the formation of an investigation committee to discover the cause of the case, be it the athlete, coach, management or national federation.
Dr. Muften said: “The Iraqi National Olympic Committee will not stand idle in this case. The punishment will be severe for the one who defamed the Olympic Committee in this big ceremony.”
He added that this case was a “dangerous precedent” in Iraqi sport because the National Olympic Committee always took care preparing its athletes for international competition.
Dr. Muften continued: “The Olympic Committee has taken all precautionary measures by the National Anti-Doping Organisation, which always informs athletes and emphasizes the necessity to stay away from the harm of steroids.”
(NOC of Iraq)