AIU fight back in Erriyon Knighton doping case

The AIU has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the case relating to Erriyon Knighton.

The double world 200m medallist tested positive for a banned substance and was provisionally suspended on 12 April. He was later cleared in June by an independent arbitrator, putting it down to contaminated meat.

Knighton represented the USA at the Paris Olympics, finishing fourth in the 200m final.

Regarded as one of the best young sprinters, he tested positive for a metabolite of trenbolone during an out-of-competition drug test on March 26. 

After a full evidentiary hearing on 14 June and 16 June, which involved Knighton, USADA and witnesses, an independent arbitrator determined that the US athlete would receive a “no fault” violation.

This meant that his provisional suspension was immediately lifted and he was cleared to compete at the upcoming US Olympic Trials (June 21-30).

Last year, the US athlete backed up his 200m bronze from Oregon with a silver over the distance in Budapest.

Knighton is also the world under-20 200m record-holder with 19.69 and the fifth fastest over half a lap in history, only surpassed by Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Noah Lyles and Michael Johnson.

He also has personal bests of 10.04 and 46.15 in the 100m and 400m respectively.

Mozzart Sport writers' highlight of Paris 2024 Olympics