Doping Bans Hit Cooks and Lamaze

Olympic gold medalist equestrian Eric Lamaze has been banned from the sport until 2031 following sanctions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, linked to a doping control avoidance and submission of forged medical documents. His initial suspension began in 2023 and will end in 2027, after which the new four-year ban will take effect. Meanwhile, Sydney Kings' star Xavier Cooks has been provisionally suspended from the NBL following a positive doping test, potentially violating the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy. This suspension comes just before the NBL finals, impacting the Kings' title hopes. Both Cooks and the involved parties have refrained from further comments, respecting the privacy of those involved. These incidents highlight ongoing issues of doping in sports, affecting athletes' careers and team performances.