Operative Award by Disciplinary Tribunal regarding Koki Ikeda of Asahi Kasei’s Athletic Team
February 14, 2025
Asahi Kasei Corp.
Regarding the Notice of Charge and provisional suspension of eligibility imposed on Asahi Kasei's athletic team member Koki Ikeda on November 1, 2024, by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics based on Anti-Doping Rules, the result of a hearing by the Disciplinary Tribunal of World Athletics has been a ruling to affirm Ikeda’s violation of Anti-Doping Rules.
1. Timeline
June 28, 2024
Ikeda is notified by the AIU that they suspect blood doping* based on blood tests performed by the AIU from June to August 2023, and that they invite Ikeda to provide an explanation for the abnormalities detected in such tests before a certain deadline, etc.
- *A procedure of drawing one's own blood and storing it, then performing autologous transfusion prior to competing for the purpose of raising performance by increasing red blood cell count.
July 24, 2024
Ikeda submits a written explanation to the AIU.
November 1, 2024
Ikeda receives Notice of Charge under World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules from the AIU, indicating that they have imposed a provisional suspension of his eligibility to participate in competitions until the matter is fully resolved.
November 15, 2024
Ikeda submits a written appeal to the AIU to lift the provisional suspension, denying that he has violated Anti-Doping Rules, and requesting a hearing by the Disciplinary Tribunal.
November 30, 2024
Ikeda submits an objection to the Notice of Charge under World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.
February 6-8, 2025
Hearing by the Disciplinary Tribunal is held.
February 14, 2025
As a result of the hearing, the Disciplinary Tribunal issues an Operative Award* to affirm Ikeda’s violation of Anti-Doping Rules and sanction him with a period of ineligibility for 4 years (with credit conditionally given for the period from November 1, 2024), as well as disqualification of his competitive results and forfeiture of his medals etc. between June 20, 2023, and November 1, 2024.
- *The Operative Award, issued today as requested by the parties, only states the ruling of the Disciplinary Tribunal, with a fully reasoned decision to follow.
2. Position of Asahi Kasei
Asahi Kasei maintains its position of adamant opposition to doping in sports, and fully supporting the philosophy and activities of the AIU and numerous other international and domestic organizations to eliminate it. That said, based on discussions with Ikeda and having received the opinion of several medical experts, the company firmly believes that Ikeda has not violated any anti-doping rules. Asahi Kasei therefore finds today’s ruling by the Disciplinary Tribunal to be extremely regrettable. After gathering necessary information including the fully reasoned decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal, Asahi Kasei will discuss with Ikeda and related parties regarding further steps to take going forward.
3. Comment from Koki Ikeda
Since I have absolutely not engaged in doping, this ruling is completely unacceptable. It is impossible for me to understand this situation of being falsely suspected. Until receiving today’s Operative Award, I continued to train for the next competition without giving up. I find it entirely absurd to be punished for something that I did not do. I will consider the appropriate next steps after receiving the fully reasoned decision. I appreciate your continued support.