Sofia Benfares also out for a long time
Second German running hopeful convicted of doping
May 13, 2024, 2:00 p.m
The doping cases of Sara and Sofia Benfares are causing a stir far beyond athletics. Now the younger of the two sisters has also been banned for several years. In addition, the 22- and 19-year-olds are facing criminal proceedings.
Track and field athlete Sofia Benfares, like her sister Sara, was sentenced to a long doping ban. The 19-year-old was sentenced to a four-year ban by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for taking the blood doping drug erythropoietin (Epo). At the same time, all competition results since January 11, 2024 were revoked. Benfares still has the opportunity to lodge an appeal with the German Sports Arbitration Court. The athlete came third in the 3000 meters at the Junior European Championships last year.
The Benfares sisters’ doping cases have caused a stir across the country. The European Championship and World Cup participant Sara Benfares tested positive for five different substances, including testosterone and Epo, and was banned for five years. After the positive sample became known, her father explained in a French portal that his daughter was suffering from bone cancer and should not wait to take urgent medication.
Sara Benfares’ lawyer Dubravko Mandic, a long-time AfD politician, argued in a statement on the prosecution that due to the numerous health impairments, an increase in performance was both subjectively and objectively ruled out. He pointed out that his client simply wanted to put the matter to rest. The 22-year-old has now announced that she wants to end her career. Because of “aggravating circumstances,” she received an increased ban of five years.
Both athletes were excluded from their club LC Rehlingen after the positive doping samples became known. The club from Saarland also revoked the membership of older sister Selma.
A complaint was also made to the Saarbrücken public prosecutor’s office against the two sisters because of a possible violation of the anti-doping law. According to NADA, the criminal investigation proceedings remain unaffected by the decision in the sports law proceedings. The anti-doping law provides for penalties ranging from fines to several years in prison.