Paralympic sprint medallist Blake Leeper banned for doping violation

Paralympic sprint medallist Blake Leeper banned for doping violation

AW
Published: 02nd February, 2016
Updated: 10th February, 2025
BY Athletics Weekly

The double London 2012 medallist received a one-year suspension after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine

American sprinter Blake Leeper, who claimed two medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, has received a one-year ban for an anti-doping rule violation, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has announced.

Leeper is said to have tested positive for benzoylecgonine from a sample collected on June 21, 2015, at the US Paralympic Track & Field National Championships.

"Benzoylecgonine is a metabolite of cocaine, a substance in the class of Stimulants prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the International Paralympic Committee Anti-Doping Code, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List," read a USADA statement in part.

"It was determined that Mr. Leeper’s use of cocaine was not intended to enhance performance, and in consideration of other mitigating factors, he was deemed eligible for a reduced, one-year sanction."

Leeper claimed 400m silver behind Oscar Pistorius and 200m bronze behind Alan Oliveira and Pistorius at London 2012.

The American's one-year suspension began on the date of his sample collection in June last year.

"In addition, Leeper has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to June 19, 2015, the date he first competed at the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes," added the USADA statement.

Stay in THE KNOW  

Stay in the know

Sign up to the free AW newsletter here

AW is the UK’s No.1 website, magazine and social media hub for road racing, track and field, cross country, walks, trail running, fell running, mountain running and ultra running, avidly followed by runners, athletes and fans alike.
Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved
cross
Secret Link