German 100m record holder Owen Ansah faces doping proceedings for refusing test

Just a few weeks ago, Owen Ansah (25) made all of Germany cheer. The Hamburg native broke his own German record over 100 meters, sprinting a sensational 9.98 seconds – no European was faster in 2026 so far. Now, the fastest German in history suddenly faces major trouble.

NADA Initiates Proceedings

The National Anti Doping Agency Germany (NADA) initiated a sports law results management procedure against the HSV sprinter on Friday. The accusation is serious: Ansah is said to have refused a doping test.

This explicitly does not concern a positive doping test, but a possible violation of Article 2.3 of the anti-doping regulations. Refusing or evading a test is generally treated as seriously as other major violations in the anti-doping code. Now Ansah himself has commented on the proceedings.

Ansah's Statement

Ansah explained in a press release from the DLV:

"Last week, I moved up into the starting field at the Diamond League in Monaco on very short notice as a replacement. On Thursday around 2:30 PM, I was just about to leave for the airport when a doping control officer rang outside my time window and asked for a doping sample. I was already very late and couldn't provide the sample on such short notice, especially since I had just used the toilet."

He continued:

"I discussed this with the control officer. It was not offered that the officer could come with me to the airport so I could provide the sample there. Furthermore, no consequences were indicated. The control officer wished me good luck in Monaco. There, I was tested by WADA on competition day, and also the following Monday by NADA within the time window I specified between 6 and 7 AM. I will do everything to clarify the matter."

Ansah consciously decided to refuse the test. Subsequently, the top sprinter was informed about the possible consequences: A refused test can be interpreted like a positive doping test and can result in a ban of up to four years.

No Ban Yet for Record Sprinter

Ansah has not been provisionally suspended so far. NADA explains that the regulations for the raised accusation do not mandate an immediate suspension. Thus, the German record holder is initially allowed to continue competing – until the proceedings are concluded.

Only at the beginning of June did Ansah improve his own German record from 9.99 to 9.98 seconds in Regensburg. After his historic run, the sprinter said confidently: "I wanted to show that I'm not a one-hit wonder." The athlete from Hamburger SV was considered a great German hope for the European Championships in August in Birmingham.

Whether there is actually a violation of the anti-doping rules must now be clarified by the proceedings. The presumption of innocence applies until a decision is made. However, it is clear: If a deliberate refusal of a doping test is proven, severe bans can be threatened according to the World Anti-Doping Code.