Hurdler facing lifetime ban if found guilty of doping

Spanish 100m hurdler Josephine Onyia, who holds the national record in the event (12.5s, in 2008), faces a lifetime ban if found guilty of a new doping infraction. Onyia returned to competition on January 29 after completing a two-year ban after a test returned traces of clenbuterol and methylhexanamine in 2008.

Less than six months later, on July 6 at the meeting in Madrid, Onyia once again passed through an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) control and, according to anti-doping sources, methylhexanamine was again detected. Neither the athlete, nor her coach, Rafael Blanquer, has confirmed the result.

If the Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEF) finds Onyia guilty of a second doping infraction, it can impose a ban ranging from two years to perpetuity. The RFEF absolved Onyia of doping in September 2008. The IAAF appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which imposed the mandatory two-year ban.

The RFEF was so convinced of Onyia's innocence that the hurdler was included in the Spain team for the Turin European Championships in 2009. Only when she had arrived in Italy did the IAAF remind Spain that Onyia could not compete. She was sent home, the RFEF said, due to a bout of gastroenteritis. After the latest positive, Onyia withdrew from the national championships in Málaga, citing injury. Nonetheless, Spain included Onyia in the World Championships team for Daegu, and then withdrew her on August 19 due to "poor form."