Swiss sprinter Alex Wilson has been suspended for a further ten years by the Swiss Sports Tribunal. This was due to the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) in a blood sample, possession and attempted or completed use of prohibited substances, as well as tampering.
As part of the disciplinary proceedings against sprinter Alex Wilson, in which he was sentenced to a four-year suspension for deliberate doping with trenbolone in June 2022, Swiss Sport Integrity was provided with various investigation files. Thanks to the close international cooperation with the US Anti-Doping Agency USADA and the information obtained, Swiss Sport Integrity was able to identify evidence of further anti-doping rule violations.
In May 2022, Swiss Sport Integrity commissioned the Laboratoire suisse d'analyse du dopage (LAD) to carry out a targeted follow-up analysis of a blood sample taken in July 2021, which led to a positive analysis result for erythropoietin (EPO), which is prohibited at all times according to the Prohibited List. As a result, the athlete who tested positive was notified in July 2022 of the further potential anti-doping rule violation and given the opportunity to respond. In a written statement, Alex Wilson denied taking EPO and requested that no disciplinary proceedings be opened.
Based on the information obtained in the investigations, Swiss Sport Integrity was also able to uncover that the accused athlete was in possession of prohibited substances, including growth hormones, and revealed their attempted use or completed use. Further investigations also revealed intentionally false whereabouts information, which constitutes tampering and therefore a further violation.
In April 2025, the main hearing took place before the Swiss Sports Tribunal, whereby the accused athlete was absent without excuse and did not submit a statement. The Swiss Sports Tribunal followed Swiss Sport Integrity's presentation of evidence and sentenced the Swiss sprinter Alex Wilson to a further ten-year suspension for the presence of EPO, possession and attempted or completed use of prohibited substances as well as for tampering. Due to aggravating circumstances, the Swiss Sport Tribunal has increased the suspension for the second violation from eight to ten years. The new suspension applies from April 28, 2025, following the first suspension, and is effective for all sports and all functions in sport worldwide. The convicted athlete must also pay a fine, the costs of the proceedings and analysis, as well as compensation to Swiss Sport Integrity totaling 17’400 Swiss francs. The verdict is not yet legally binding.