Recognition of sanctions: Pascal Héritier of Switzerland

Pascal Héritier has been suspended by Swiss Sport Integrity under clean sport rules.

The athlete was found in violation of the anti-doping rules after testing positive in an out-of-competition anti-doping test metabolites of spironolactone, a substance permanently banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The athlete’s defence was that he had presented a prescription for medication containing the substance, but there was no valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in place at the time of testing.

Swiss Sport Integrity, the national anti-doping organisation, acknowledged that there was no intention to cheat but emphasised the responsibility of athletes to check the banned list.

The violation was deemed to be minor, which led to a reduction in the suspension length, with the sanction primarily attributed to the absence of a valid TUE.

The sanctions imposed are as follows:

• A 14-month suspension from 13 November 2024 until 12 November 2025.
• The athlete must pay a fine as well as the costs associated with testing and analysis.

For more information on World Archery’s clean sport regulations, read our beginner’s guide to anti-doping in archery.