The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended former Zambian Olympian and current USA Track & Field (USATF) licensed coach, Gerald Phiri, as part of an ongoing joint investigation with the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) triggered by three athletes – all coached by Phiri – returning Adverse Analytical Findings for the same prohibited substance.
Between July 2023 and August 2024, three track athletes tested positive for Metabolites of GW1516 (also known as Cardarine), a Metabolic Modulator, which is a non-specified substance prohibited at all times under the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
At this stage of the investigation, the AIU alleges that Phiri has committed Anti-Doping Rules Violations for the Possession of GW1516 when he was an Athlete in 2018 and 2019; the Possession of Meldonium (another Metabolic Modulator) as an Athlete Support Person in 2024; and for failing to co-operate with the investigation by providing false and inaccurate information.
Phiri has been provisionally suspended as of 17 March 2025. In accordance with the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, he has the right to make a written submission to the AIU to lift his Provisional Suspension.
