The Franco-German athlete tested positive for 5 substances, including EPO, last September. She had since announced to put an end to her career.
The National Anti-Doping Agency made its decision this Thursday, April 18. The verdict is not yet in for her little sister, Sofia, who also tested positive. The runner's career was actually on hold due to the multiple stress fractures she suffered over the past year, 10 in total, her father had said. His last real competition dates back to December 2022 at the Corrida de Houilles, with a personal best of 31′46′' Then the runner's father, Samir Benfares, defended his daughter by explaining that she was suffering from bone cancer and that she should not wait to take medicine. The criminal investigation by the Saarbrücken public prosecutor's office is not affected by the sports law decision and is still pending, NADA said. It can therefore be assumed that these substances will continue to be taken and used for a certain period of time, says the supervisory body.