Vasco Ribeiro is currently serving a 3-year suspension for a violation of the ISA Anti-Doping Rules in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Olympic rules.
The suspension followed Mr. Ribeiro’s refusal to undergo an out-of-competition anti-doping test being conducted by International Testing Agency (ITA), who have been delegated by the ISA to manage its worldwide anti-doping program.
Following an appeal by the athlete, his suspension was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the highest level of sporting justice in the Olympic Movement, after an extensive hearing and adjudication process.
All of this information was communicated to the WSL in July 2024. Mr. Ribeiro and the WSL were also previously advised by the ITA of the potential consequences for the surfer to compete while serving a term of ineligibility, noting that such a breach would have resulted in an additional mandatory sanction under the ISA Anti-Doping Rules.
The ISA recently reminded the WSL of its responsibility in supporting ISA and its obligations as a signatory of the WADA Code, when it learned of the athlete’s intention to compete in the WSL event in Morocco.
The ISA is fully committed to integrity and clean sport, in accordance with its role as an International Federation (IF), and a signatory of the WADA Code.
This commitment is essential to surfing’s inclusion in the Olympic Games and the ISA’s responsibility as the Olympic IF recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).