The doping case of U.S. sprinter Erriyon Knighton, involving claims of consuming contaminated meat, is now being appealed and will be reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Knighton’s attorney, Howard Jacobs, suggested that the sprinter may be caught in the crossfire of a global dispute among anti-doping agencies.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), responsible for global anti-doping oversight in track and field, announced its decision to challenge the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) ruling that cleared Knighton of fault. This ruling came before the Olympic trials earlier this summer.
Knighton tested positive for the banned substance Trenbolone, a drug often found in livestock and associated with contamination cases. The sprinter claimed that oxtail he consumed from a bakery in central Florida was contaminated with the drug.
Despite the positive test, USADA cleared Knighton, allowing him to qualify for the 200 meters at the Olympic trials, where he finished fourth in Paris. However, his case has since drawn attention from anti-doping authorities in China, who allege that U.S. and Chinese athletes are not held to the same standards. This claim emerged amid widespread criticism of China and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over their handling of contamination cases involving Chinese athletes.
Knighton’s attorney, Jacobs, pointed to the growing tensions between WADA and USADA, suggesting that Knighton could be “collateral damage” in this ongoing conflict. He stated that the sprinter would “vigorously defend himself against this baseless appeal.”
The USADA panel, after reviewing tests from the same batch of meat from the bakery where Knighton bought the oxtail, determined that the meat could have caused the trace amount of Trenbolone found in his system. Although the amount was minimal, it was enough to trigger a positive test result.
Knighton’s situation has become a flashpoint as the conflict between USADA and WADA intensifies, particularly over how WADA and China managed the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned heart medication. Despite the positive tests, Chinese authorities attributed them to contamination, allowing the athletes to compete. These swimmers went on to win 12 medals at the Paris Games.
Criticism of WADA grew after it was revealed that no public announcement was made about the Chinese swimmers’ cases. Details only emerged through investigative reporting by The New York Times and German broadcaster ARD.
In response to the escalating situation, USADA CEO Travis Tygart released a statement highlighting the “stark contrast” between how Knighton’s case was handled and how the swimming cases in China were managed. Tygart acknowledged the AIU’s reasons for appealing, noting that they likely align with USADA’s original decision to pursue the case against Knighton.
