Tokyo Olympic shot put silver medalist Raven Saunders accepted a suspension for two and a half years in a case involving providing their location for drug-testing purposes.
“I’d like to make full disclosure that I already had intentions of retiring and had stepped away, but I did not follow the proper procedure to officially retire,” Saunders said, according to an emailed response through their publicist. “That’s why I take accountability for how this process unfolded, and I accept full responsibility for the outcome. I respect USADA’s decision and take responsibility for the missed whereabouts filings that led to this outcome. I also want to be clear that this was not due to a positive drug test. While this is a difficult moment, I remain committed to clean sport and to representing my community with integrity. To my family, friends, and all of you who continue to lift me up with your love and support , thank you. You remind me every day why I keep going.”
Saunders accrued three whereabouts failures in a 12-month span, which triggers a ban. Saunders’ ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is backdated to the date of the last whereabouts failure — Dec. 26, 2024.
Whereabouts failures are missed drug tests and/or filing failures. A filing failure could mean incorrectly filling out forms to tell drug testers where an athlete can be found, or not submitting quarterly forms at all.
Saunders previously served an 18-month ban for whereabouts failures from August 2022 to February 2024, then returned to make a third Olympic team, placing 11th in Paris.
Saunders has not competed since August 2024.
“My intention is to serve the suspension in case I decide to make a return,” Saunders said. “If I do, my goal would be to compete for LA 2028. This is a setback, but it’s not the end of my journey. I’m focused on my health, continuing to advocate for mental health and resiliency, training, and personal growth. I’m also committed to giving back as a mentor for future athletes, sharing the knowledge I’ve gained through my experiences. I look forward to returning to competition stronger than ever if I choose to compete again.”
