Doping relief in sight for famous wrestler Inam Butt

Suspension could be just two months after agency accepts banned drug was used for eye treatment Inam Butt takes Silver in Commonwealth Games 2022. Photo: AFP Pakistan's veteran wrestler and former beach wrestling world champion Inam Butt is in line for a significant reprieve in a doping case, with his suspension potentially limited to two months. The authorities have accepted that a banned medication detected in his sample was used to treat an eye condition rather than to enhance performance. According to sources International Testing Agency (ITA) has accepted Inam's explanation that the prohibited medication was taken for medical treatment of an eye problem and was not intended to improve his sporting performance. Inam is still expected to face a sanction because he failed to obtain the necessary therapeutic-use exemption (TUE) in time before using the medication, amounting to negligence under anti-doping rules, sources added. A formal decision from the ITA is expected in a week. The silver medal Inam won at the Asian Beach Games in April this year is expected to be stripped as part of the disciplinary outcome. The ITA had also granted Inam permission for the use of the medication for a period of one year. The proposed suspension is expected to be backdated to April, meaning Inam could serve a relatively short period of ineligibility compared with the harsher penalties normally associated with anti-doping violations. If the ITA confirms the expected outcome, Inam would be eligible to take part in the Asian Games as he was due to proceed to Japan for the continental event as Pakistan wrestling squad coach. Beyond his role as an athlete, he has held administrative responsibilities within the Pakistan Wrestling Federation as its secretary and served as chairman of the POA's athletes commission. Following the emergence of the doping case, Inam voluntarily stepped down from his federation secretary and athletes commission chairman positions, citing the interests of the sport and the need to preserve impartiality while the matter was being investigated.