Coleman's and Manyonga’s Costly Mistakes: Two former Olympians banned from Tokyo Games

The International Olympic Committee banned USA Olympic Sprinter Christian Coleman and South African long-jump star Luvo Manyonga from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after they missed drug tests by the Athletes Integrity Unit.

The world’s best athletes often have to commit to frequent and rigorous drug testing. Some even believe the rules surrounding drug testing are often too strict. Athletes are required to give drug testing windows, in which they have to be available to receive a drug test. These tests occur frequently. For reference, before Coleman’s mishaps, he has already been tested fourteen times throughout the year.

Although Coleman did not test positive for a banned substance, he failed to show up to multiple drug tests. When drug testers arrived at the agreed-upon location, they gave Colman a 60-minute window to take the test; however, Coleman claimed that he was Christmas shopping during that time. He attempted to explain that he had been at his house for the test during his 60-minute window, but his receipts from Chipotle and Walmart indicated that he never showed up for his drug test. Furthermore, he accused drug testers of not calling him when his 60-minute window was closing, but the testers were not required to call. Also, the AIC advised the testers against it due to Coleman’s history of not being present. These mishaps have unfortunately resulted in Coleman’s banning from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The IOC also banned Manyonga from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics for similar reasons. He was the favorite to win the gold in the long jump in Tokyo. However, due to his prior history of drug addiction and his inability to be present for drug tests over the last 12 months, he will be banned from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Both of these athletes are experiencing harsh consequences for their absences. The requirements of being an Olympic athlete are often viewed as too brutal and often taxing on athletes. However, the rules that AIU impose are supposed to keep the playing field as even as possible. Though people have questioned these rules in the past, their effectiveness continues to show as drug use rates drop among Olympic athletes.