Olympic bronze medalist Alysha Newman has been handed a 20-month ban due to missed drug tests, although track and field investigators acknowledged her retirement from pole vaulting. Newman, now 31 years old, clinched bronze for Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics and last participated in two Diamond League events in Qatar and Morocco last May.
The Athletics Integrity Unit revealed that Newman failed to appear for an unannounced doping control in February of the previous year and missed two more tests in August. Three instances of “whereabouts” failures within a year can lead to an anti-doping rules violation. During the third incident, the AIU reported that Newman informed a sample collection official that she had to leave immediately for the taping of a television game show.
Under the global anti-doping regulations, athletes are required to designate a one-hour daily window for potential testing. Newman’s suspension is set to conclude in August 2027 and was shortened to less than the standard two-year term for whereabouts violations because the AIU recognized her decision to retire as a mitigating factor. The AIU stated that this retirement was a unique circumstance that could be considered in evaluating her level of responsibility in the situation.
In addition to her Olympic achievement, Newman has also competed in two world championships finals, secured gold and bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games, and claimed bronze at a Pan American Games event.