Vietnam aerobic star gets two-year doping ban

Tran Ha Vi performs in an aerobics event at SEA Games 32 in Cambodia, May 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) imposed the ban against Tran Ha Vi following test results from the International Testing Agency on March 6.

Vi tested positive for diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, chlorothiazide, and amiloride and appetite suppressant sibutramine, all banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Her samples were taken on Sept. 16, 2023 at the Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Mongolia, where Vi won a gold medal in the women's singles.

FIG said Vi's medal will be revoked and she will be banned from competitions for two years, until Nov. 25, 2025. All her achievements, if any, gained from Sept. 16, 2023 will not be recognized, it said.

According to Vietnam Gymnastics Federation, Vi has reported about having taken medication to treat urinary tract infections, without carefully checking the ingredients. She had failed to report the treatment in details to her coaches, it said.

Vi, 22, took on aerobics at 12 and has been considered a Vietnam's big star of the sport.

She won gold medal in the girls' 12-14 age group at the Aerobics World Cup in Japan in 2016, silver medal at SEA Games in 2022 and gold in 2023.