A little over a week ago, U.S. track and field sensation Erriyon Knighton narrowly missed winning a bronze medal in the men’s 200 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing just 0.19 seconds behind fellow American Noah Lyles. However, the 20-year-old Knighton now faces a potential four-year ban that could prevent him from competing in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This comes after the Athletics Integrity Unit announced its decision to appeal the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) no-fault ruling in Knighton’s recent doping case, which emerged shortly before the Paris Games.
Knighton tested positive for Trenbolone, a substance commonly found in livestock, and he claims that the positive result was due to consuming contaminated meat from a bakery in Florida. Knighton’s attorney, Howard Jacobs, has vowed to challenge the appeal, describing it as baseless. According to the Associated Press, Jacobs emphasized that Knighton will “vigorously defend himself” against the allegations.
The USADA had tested the meat shipment from the bakery where Knighton dined, and an independent panel concluded that the contamination could have been the reason for the positive test. Due to this ruling, Knighton was permitted to compete at the Paris Olympics. Jacobs hinted that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) might be using Knighton as an example in its ongoing conflict with USADA, suggesting that U.S. athletes like Knighton could be “collateral damage” in a broader power struggle between the two agencies.
Knighton is widely regarded as a rising star in track and field, receiving praise from none other than eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. Before the 2024 Olympics, Bolt mentioned Knighton on “The Obi One Podcast,” saying, “There is one kid who had my attention for a while. His name is Knighton, and he is from the States. He ran 19.40-something. He’s only just turning 20, so he was pretty good.”
As the situation unfolds, Knighton’s future in the sport remains uncertain, but his potential as a top sprinter continues to garner significant attention.