Mexican athlete suspended for doping after Montreal track meet

On Thursday, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) revealed the names of five athletes who have been provisionally suspended or banned for anti-doping violations over the past two months. Among the sanctioned athletes was Mexican distance runner Jose Eduardo Rodriguez, who recently won prize money on Canadian soil at Montreal’s La Classique d’athlétisme.

The AIU has banned Jose Eduardo Rodrigeuz (Mexico) for 3 years from 1 July 2024 for Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Boldenone). DQ results from 19 May 2024
Details here: https://t.co/mxQeewpeKo

— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) July 11, 2024

On May 19, Rodriguez provided an in-competition urine sample after winning the men’s steeplechase event at the Grande Prêmio Brasil de Atletismo-Niterói, in Rio de Janeiro. According to the report, four weeks later, the lab analysis revealed the presence of the anabolic androgenic steroid boldenone and its metabolite.

Rodriguez indicated several possibilities for how the performance-enhancing drug entered his system, including an injection administered by a doctor in April 2024, or a pre-workout supplement he purchased in Rio. On July 2, the AIU stated it was not satisfied with his explanation, and that he would receive a three-year suspension.

After his positive test on May 19, Rodriguez competed at Montreal’s La Classique d’athlétisme on June 21, placing third in the men’s 2,000m steeplechase with a time of 5:32.78–a new Mexican national record. His finish earned him CAD $300 for placing in the top three, with Canadian 2020 Tokyo Olympian John Gay receiving zero dollars for fourth. Rodriguez’s result will be disqualified, and Gay will be awarded third.

“It’s shocking and disgusting,” said La Classique d’athlétisme meet director Laurent Godbout. “There’s no way we could have known this information at the meet on June 21. We will never be able to recover the money, but we will certainly send the award to John Gay.”

Gay gave a statement to Canadian Running upon learning about his competitor’s suspension. “While the presence of doping in our sport is not news in and of itself, it certainly hits closer to home when one can draw such a tangible line between their own performances and the impact of a positive test by a direct competitor. The repercussions for me are minor in this case, but it is a sobering reminder of how endemic substance abuse is in athletics. Being directly affected by doping only serves to reinforce for me the crucial role of regular testing and the work of WADA and the AIU to uphold the integrity of our sport and the athletes like myself who choose to pursue it cleanly.”

Rodriguez is a four-time national champion in Mexico and was fifth in the 1,500m at the 2022 NACAC Championships in the Bahamas. He will be ineligible to compete until July 1, 2026.

Since the publication of this story, Rodriguez has acknowledged his wrongdoing and sent a written promise to meet director Laurent Godbout, stating that he will return the $300 prize money via Mexican post.