Double Olympic silver medalist suspended for three years for falsifying his age

Lugelin Santos, a double Olympic silver medalist, has been disqualified for three years for manipulating his date of birth, reports the press service of the independent body for combating adverse events in athletics (AIU).

The Dominican Republic rider’s three-year ineligibility period runs from March 11, 2023 to March 10, 2026.

Santos previously admitted to using a fake passport to compete in the 2012 World Junior Championships, where he won a gold medal. The athlete born in 1992 was entered into the competition with the year of birth 1993, that is, he actually had no right to participate in the tournament. His results presented at this championship will be canceled.

— The athlete stated that, as instructed, he received a “special passport” issued by the Dominican Republic authorities, which indicated the date November 12, 1993, which contradicted his actual date of birth of November 12.

1992. Santos also said he was ordered to use a “special passport” with a fake year of birth (1993) to compete and a real passport for all other official purposes.

The athlete accepted the disqualification decision and waived his right to have his case reviewed by a disciplinary tribunal. Although the sanction invalidates the gold medal Santos won at the World Junior Championships in July 2012, it does not affect the silver medal he won in the 400 meters at the 2012 London Olympics, according to the report.

Santos won silver at the 2012 London Olympics in the 400m and silver at the 2020 Tokyo Games in the 4x400m mixed relay.