Loic Korval 6 months suspended by French doping authority

Loic Korval has been suspended for a period of six month by the AFLD, the French doping authority. Korval might miss the Olympic Games if the decision is not turned back. Korval was suspended in 2015 for a period of 10 months but that decision was recalled later so he could compete at the World Championships in Astana. Now AFLD struck back with a decision to suspend the French European Judo Champion of 2014 and last year’s finalist at the European Games.

The French Anti-Doping Agency is an independent public authority formed in 2006 and charged with ensuring that participants in sports do not violate rules regarding doping. Last year at a training camp in Brazil. Since 21 October 2014 he was not allowed to compete at any event. His suspension was sanctioned because he didn't show up three times at the doping control.

Again Korval is in a big shock and had the same experience like last year.

“I just learned with astonishment the decision of the AFLD of penalizing me for a period of 6 months, by not respecting the verdict handed down by the council of state. A Scandalous decision, taken in by passing their rights.”

“I'll be 28 years old. The Olympic Games in Rio are probably the last opportunity for me, to realise my Olympic Dream. This is the holy grail in all Sports, amateur or professional.”

“Nevertheless I have confidence in the justice system, and I know she will put things in order without delay.” 

Loic Korval reacted personally to JudoInside:

"The sanction (suspension) is stemmed from 2014. I had missed a few drug tests between 2013 and 2014. After cooperating with the council, they decided to give me a one-year suspension, starting on October 22, 2014."

"There is a process within the French Doping Agency that counts the days the athletes is suspended for in a specific way. I was 'missing' 18 more days of suspension as of April 15th, which was decided by the ALFD. I was not informed by this, and the AFLD slapped me with a second suspension of six months and thirteen days without consulting with the Council of State."

"The AFLD is not permissible by law to sanction such a suspension without proper procedures. I just discovered about this suspension via the internet in a Sports Magazine. Now I am currently trying to file an appeal so he will be permitted to compete at the Baku Grand Slam in the first week of May."

Short profile Loic Korval

Loic Korval is the European Champion of 2014 in Montpellier and silver medallist at the European Games 2015. Korval won world bronze in 2010 in Tokyo and meanwhile secured his Olympic spot for Rio. He won the European team title with France. Started 2016 with silver in Havana. In 2015 he got suspended temporarily for not showing 3 times at a doping test in 2014. That decision was recalled, but now seems to be a serious threat again.