Recognition of sanctions: Robert Knight of New Zealand

The archer of New Zealand Robert Knight has been suspended by the New Zealand Sports Tribunal under clean sport rules.

The athlete was found in violation with the Anti-Doping Rules of Drug Free Sport New Zealand after testing positive on 10 November 2023 for the prohibited substance metoprolol, which belongs to the beta-blockers class of the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list.

Metoprolol is commonly used to treat high blood pressure and is always banned in archery. The athlete argued that he had used the substance on the advice of his doctor.

Drug Free Sport New Zealand, the national anti-doping organisation, acknowledged that there was no intention to cheat in sport, but insisted that this case placed a strong emphasis on the responsibility of athletes.

The sanctions imposed are as follows:

• Disqualification of all prizes, points and medals obtained since 10 November 2023.
• A two-year suspension from 10 November 2023 until 09 November 2025.

For more information on World Archery’s clean sport regulations, read our beginner’s guide to anti-doping in archery.