The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has suspended Canadian pole vaulter Alysha Newman for 20 months after she missed three doping tests within a 12-month period, violating World Athletics anti-doping rules.
Newman, 31, who won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was found to have committed three whereabouts failures between 2024 and 2025. The suspension, announced on April 30, 2026, is backdated to February 2026, meaning she will be eligible to return to competition in October 2027.
The AIU stated that the missed tests constituted a violation of Rule 2.4 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, which prohibits three missed tests or filing failures within 12 months. Newman did not dispute the charge, and the sanction was accepted by the athlete.
Newman's personal best of 4.85 meters, set in 2024, ranks her among Canada's top pole vaulters. She expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing her commitment to clean sport but acknowledging the importance of strict compliance with anti-doping protocols.
