Another Russian triathlete caught using EPO gets 3 year suspension

If this is starting to sound familiar, it is likely because we reported on pretty much exactly the same scenario last week. Last week it was Russia’s Igor Polyanskiy who we announced would get a three-year suspension for testing positive for Erythropoietin (EPO). This week its Alexander Bryukhankov – EPO was found in his urine at an in-competition doping control on June 19, 2021 at the Europe Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championships in Kitzbuhel, Austria.

Russian triathlete who took EPO before the Olympics given three year suspension

Bryukhankov finished fifth in the “B” final at that event. According to a release from World Triathlon:

“On 15 September World Triathlon notified the Athlete that it was charging Mr. Bryukhankov with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) because he did not exercise his right to the analysis of the B sample within the deadline provided. The athlete admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) in the 20 days after receiving notice of the charge and therefore he benefits from a reduction of one year in the presumptive four-years period of ineligibility.”

Bryukhankov will be ineligible to compete until Aug. 26, 2024 – he was given credit for the period of suspension already served.